Police Shooting

Stockton, CA: (Dec-12-07) The family of Bernet Vaba, 53, has filed a suit against the Stockton police department alleging wrongful death. The family alleged that the police were too hasty, needlessly agitating Vaba and using excessive force. Sources stated that Police shot Bernet Vaba, on Nov. 1, 2006, after she came toward them with two knives in her hands. Police were responding to a call for help from Vaba's boyfriend, who told them Vaba was threatening to commit suicide and had locked herself in her room with prescription drugs and knives. They talked to her through the door before kicking it down, at which point she threw a crowbar at one officer and came at police with knives in her hands. As part of settlement reached, Stockton agreed to pay $210,000 to settle the lawsuit filed by the family of the woman who was shot dead by police last year. City Attorney Ren Nosky stated that the settlement was authorized to avoid the cost and risk of litigation. Sources stated that the officers who fired their handguns were Sgt. Michael Moreno and probationary Officer Benjamin Cromwell. Moreno has since retired for reasons unrelated to the case. Cromwell has since passed probation and remains on the force.

[RECORDNET.COM] Stockton will settle shooting suit for $210,000

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Published on Dec-15-07