A suspected car thief has filed a $25 million claim with the city over a videotaped police beating he contends left him with brain damage.
Stanley Miller alleged the June 23 beating also caused “spinal injuries, trunk-torso injuries, internal injuries, emotional distress, and bruises and contusions.” If the city rejects the claim filed Thursday, Miller could seek damages through a lawsuit.
Police spokeswoman Mary Grady said the department would not comment on “pending litigation.”
Police Chief William Bratton told the City Council two weeks ago that Miller’s injuries appeared to be minor scrapes and bruises.
But Robert Stoll Jr., an attorney for Miller, said a neurologist determined that he had brain damage.
Police allege Miller led them on a 30-minute chase after they saw him run a stop sign in a reportedly stolen car. The chase ended when Miller jumped out of the car in Compton and was tackled by officers as he stopped and appeared to be surrendering. He was on the ground when Officer John Hatfield struck him 11 times with a metal flashlight.
Hatfield has said he struck Miller after another officer felt something in the man’s pocket that he mistook for a gun. LAPD officials have said they recovered wire cutters.
Another Miller attorney, David Werksmen, has said his client denies carrying wire cutters.
