Police Officer and City Found not Liable in Civil Rights Lawsuit

On May 14, in a wrongful death shooting trial that lasted more than four weeks, a civil jury in downtown Los Angeles returned with a defense verdict in favor of the city of Pasadena and Pasadena Police Officer Timothy Bundy.

The case was originally filed by the mother and daughter of Erica Hindman, a passenger in a car driven by Walter Villanueva, at the time of the shooting.

During the early morning hours of Sept. 3, 2006, Officer Bundy responded to a report of a drive-by shooting in Pasadena.  As he was interviewing one of the victims, Officer Bundy saw the suspect’s car pull up one block away at Marengo Avenue and Tremont Street.  Officer Bundy witnessed Villanueva exit the car and fire five shots at homes on Marengo Avenue.

Villanueva got back in his car and drove toward the victims of the drive-by shooting.  By that time, Officer Bundy had run up the sidewalk in an attempt to stop the car and arrest Villanueva.  When the car approached him, Officer Bundy saw an arm rise inside the vehicle, pointing in his direction.  In response, he fired one shot, killing Ms. Hindman.

After approximately two hours of deliberation, the jury found that Officer Bundy was not negligent and did not use excessive force; they also found that the City of Pasadena was not liable.

“The jury’s decision vindicated the actions of the officer and the separate investigations of the Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office, making great strides in saving taxpayer dollars,” said Pasadena City Attorney Michele Beal Bagneris.

The city of Pasadena and Officer Bundy were represented at trial by Assistant City Attorney Hugh Halford and Deputy City Attorney Javan Rad.

Coincidentally, in a separate criminal proceeding on May 14, Villanueva was sentenced to 39½ years to life in state prison for the provocative act of murdering Ms. Hindman.

For more information contact Pasadena City Attorney Michele Beal Bagneris at (626) 744-4141.