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TLU Case Analysis

$10,030,000 Verdict in Civil Rights Police Shooting Case – Fourteenth Amendment Shocks the Conscience Standard

Christian Contreras · Stephen King

Christian Contreras
Stephen King
Stephen King

On August 11, 2021, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy Kenneth Borbon stopped Adrian Sanchez in his vehicle at about 12:15 p.m. on the southbound Golden State (5) Freeway several miles north of Castaic. Deputy Borbon detained Mr. Sanchez and placed him the back of the patrol vehicle. During the detention, Deputy Borbon observed Mr. Sanchez as under the influence of a stimulate. Deputy Borbon also observed a semi-automatic pistol near the center console of the vehicle. Deputy Borbon ran Mr. Sanchez’s information and learned he had felony convictions related to drugs and had a warrant out of Texas. Thereafter, Deputy attempted to handcuff Mr. Sanchez who was in the patrol vehicle. Deputy Borbon testified that when he opened the patrol vehicle door to handcuff Mr. Sanchez, Mr. Sanchez assaulted him, broke free and ran away. Deputy Borbon lost sight of Mr. Sanchez for a few minutes but then saw him reappear attempting to go back to his vehicle. Deputy Borbon ran to Mr. Sanchez’s vehicle as well and both of them arrived at the same time. Mr. Sanchez got into the car and attempted to drive away. Deputy Borbon testified that he was hanging on to Mr. Sanchez and had half his body inside of the vehicle and the other half on the outside. Deputy Borbon also testified that Mr. Sanchez dragged him for 500 feet. Deputy Borbon testified that he was able to immobilize the vehicle. During this time. Deputy Borbon testified that he punched Mr. Sanchez several times. Thereafter, Deputy Borbon used his taser on Mr. Sanchez. Deputy Borbon testified that the taser had no effect so he drew his firearm and pointed it at Mr. Sanchez. Deputy Borbon then testified that Mr. Sanchez tried to grab his firearm so Deputy Borbon shot Mr. Sanchez once. Deputy Borbon then testified that after the first shot, Mr. Sanchez reached for the firearm in the center console. Deputy Borbon shot Mr. Sanchez a total of eight times killing Mr. Sanchez. Two additional firearms were found in Mr. Sanchez’ vehicle along with a pound of meth and a pound of marijuana. Deputy Borbon was taken to a hospital, treated for injuries he sustained in the altercation and later released.