Parents of Jamiel Shaw File Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Updated 9:00 AM PST, Mon, May 11, 2009

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Relatives of a slain 17-year-old boy have sued the county for wrongful death.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court by Jamiel and Anita Shaw, the parents of the late Jamiel Shaw II. The deceased teen's brother, Thomas Shaw, also is a plaintiff.

The family members name as defendants the county, Sheriff Lee Baca and their son's alleged killer, Pedro Espinoza.

The relatives also are alleging negligence, violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act and deprivation of civil rights. They are seeking unspecified damages.

Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for Baca, said he had not seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.

Shaw, a Los Angeles High School football player, was shot and killed in March 2008, allegedly by Espinoza, an alleged gang member who was in the country illegally.

According to the lawsuit, deputies negligently released Espinoza from jail on March 1, 2008, despite knowing he was "a dangerous felon and an immigration violator."

Shaw was shot at 8:30 p.m. a day later in the 2100 block of 5th Avenue while talking with his girlfriend on the phone two doors from his home.

The lawsuit also alleges that Espinoza, a Latino, targeted Shaw because he is black.

The 20-year-old Espinoza, who is charged with murder, is scheduled to be arraigned June 30.

"Jamiel's Law" would have given Los Angeles police officers the right to arrest undocumented gang members before they commit crimes. However, supporters of the measure did not obtain enough signatures to place the measure
on the May city election ballot.

Since 1979, the Los Angeles Police Department has operated under Special Order 40, which prevents officers from initiating contact with suspects for the sole purpose of inquiring about their immigration status. The policy was
implemented so undocumented residents could report crimes and cooperate with police without fear of being deported.