Culver City officials are still considering whether or not to appeal a jury decision last month that awarded the family of a man who was killed by a Culver City police officer a multimillion dollar award, but the city has hired a consultant to advise them on the judicial matter. Culver City Police Officer Luis Martinez shot and killed Lejoy Grissom April 25, 2010 after Grissom was stopped by police in Culver City.The victim was a suspect in a robbery at a nearby Radio Shack. The victim was unarmed when police pulled him into a parking lot and ordered him out of his car. Martinez, who was joined during the stop by four other officers, fired four rounds at Grissom after claiming that he believed the suspect was reaching for a weapon. That was his testimony at trial, but his officers contradicted Martinez testifying that Grissom was not carrying a weapon or object when he was shot. Jurors in U.S. District Court court awarded Grissom’s family $ 8.8 million May 8. Attorney Dale Galipo, who represents some of the children of the deceased, said he has not been contacted by the city regarding their decision to appeal or not to appeal. “But I do expect that I will hear from them soon,” Galipo said, adding that there is a post-trial hearing on Aug. 26. Martinez was exonerated in earlier investigations and it was determined later that Grissom had indeed committed the robbery. Galipo, who specializes in civil rights cases, said if the city chooses to appeal the verdict it cost them considerably more long term. “I think they would be smart to settle this case because right now the award is almost $9 million but if they try to appeal, we will also go after attorneys fees and court fees,” Galipo stated.” And that could be at least another million dollars.” The attorney said the family is receptive to settling the case. City Manager John Nachbar to not respond to inquires regarding the city’s decision on the verdict. Regardless of what Culver City does, Galipo, who has been practicing law for almost 15 years, said he is confident that the jury award will stand. “As a trial attorney with a great deal of experience in these types of cases, I think the verdict was sound,” he asserted.
