Trevino
Trevino v. Gates
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Thomas, J.
- Plaintiff Johanna Trevino is the daughter of Juan Bahena, one of three men killed by Los Angeles Police Department (“LAPD”) officers during a robbery. Among other claims, Trevino alleged that the City of Los Angeles (“City”) and members of the Los Angeles City Council (“Councilmembers”) *916 deprived her of her civil rights in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1988 by indemnifying LAPD officers against punitive damage liability in excessive force cases. Trevino appeals the district court’s entry of summary judgment for the Councilmembers and the City, along with numerous other issues. We affirm all of the district court’s rulings, with the exception of the attorneys’ fees award.
BACKGROUND
Juan Bahena was fatally shot by LAPD officers shortly after he and three accomplices robbed a McDonald’s restaurant on February 12, 1990. While leaving the scene, Bahena and the other perpetrators were surrounded by police officers. Believing the burglars to be pointing guns in their direction, the officers opened fire, killing three of the four suspects. None of the perpetrators were bearing actual firearms, only pellet guns.