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$1.5m payout for US woman punched by police at roadside | $1.5m payout for US woman punched by police at roadside |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A US woman who was repeatedly punched in the face and head by a police officer at the side of the road will receive $1.5m (£0.9m) in compensation. | A US woman who was repeatedly punched in the face and head by a police officer at the side of the road will receive $1.5m (£0.9m) in compensation. |
Footage posted on YouTube shows a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer straddling the woman, Marlene Pinnock, on 1 July and hitting her many times. | |
The settlement agreed on Wednesday came after nine hours of talks between lawyers in Los Angeles. | The settlement agreed on Wednesday came after nine hours of talks between lawyers in Los Angeles. |
A CHP statement said the officer, on leave since the incident, has resigned. | A CHP statement said the officer, on leave since the incident, has resigned. |
"When this incident occurred, I promised that I would look into it and vowed a swift resolution," CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said in a statement. | |
"Today, we have worked constructively to reach a settlement agreement that is satisfactory to all parties involved." | "Today, we have worked constructively to reach a settlement agreement that is satisfactory to all parties involved." |
The bulk of the money will go into a special needs trust for 51-year-old Ms Pinnock, the CHP said. | The bulk of the money will go into a special needs trust for 51-year-old Ms Pinnock, the CHP said. |
She has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had been off her medication for two to three months before the altercation, according to the Associated Press. | |
Her lawyer Caree Harper said the settlement secured the two things she wanted. | Her lawyer Caree Harper said the settlement secured the two things she wanted. |
"One of the things we wanted to make sure of was that she was provided for in a manner that accommodated her unique situation in life, and that the officer was not going to be an officer anymore." | "One of the things we wanted to make sure of was that she was provided for in a manner that accommodated her unique situation in life, and that the officer was not going to be an officer anymore." |
Police had said the woman was endangering herself and motorists by walking on the shoulder of a busy highway in the west of Los Angeles. | Police had said the woman was endangering herself and motorists by walking on the shoulder of a busy highway in the west of Los Angeles. |
The incident was captured by passing motorist David Diaz, who said the officer arrived as the woman was walking off the highway, but he "agitated the situation". | The incident was captured by passing motorist David Diaz, who said the officer arrived as the woman was walking off the highway, but he "agitated the situation". |
The officer, Daniel Andrew, is seen on the video forcing her to the ground, briefly struggling with her before repeatedly punching her. | |
A few moments later, a plainclothes officer enters the picture and helps his colleague put the woman in handcuffs. | A few moments later, a plainclothes officer enters the picture and helps his colleague put the woman in handcuffs. |
The officer could still face criminal charges. Ms Pinnock will be interviewed by the local prosecutor's office within a few weeks. | |
In a search warrant made public last month, police said Ms Pinnock had pushed Mr Andrew as he pulled her away from oncoming traffic. | |
But Ms Pinnock said during an interview with AP Mr Andrew "threw me down" and started beating her. | |
"I felt like he was trying to kill me, beat me to death." | "I felt like he was trying to kill me, beat me to death." |
Ms Pinnock told the news agency she had been homeless for the past few years and was on her way to a homeless camp accessible only via a motorway ramp. | |
The warrant also said Ms Pinnock suffered no signs of physical injury and refused medical treatment, but was placed in a psychiatric medical hold for two weeks. | |
Ms Harper has previously questioned the medical information on the warrant, saying two doctors who saw her in hospital gave inconsistent views of her injuries. | |
Prosecutors in Los Angeles declined to charge Ms Pinnock in the incident. |