LAPD Chief Sued in Dodgers Beating Case

Giovanni Ramirez sues for defamation. He was the man police named as suspect No. 1 in the beating of Bryan Stow. He was ultimately cleared.

A man who was publicly identified -- and then cleared -- as suspect No. 1 in the high-profile beating of Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium last year has filed a complaint against the Los Angeles Police Chief, claiming defamation.

Giovanni Ramirez alleges that Police Chief Charlie Beck convicted him in public comments to the press before police even conducted a line-up of possible suspects, and without forensic evidence.

Beck called Ramirez the "primary aggressor" and "thug," according to court documents filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

"Beck knew ... that each and every statement was false or that he was acting with reckless disregard for the truth," court documents state.

Ramirez was held in custody in connection with the March 31, 2011 beating of Stow, who suffered brain damage.

The Giants fan was brutally beaten in the Dodgers Stadium parking lot after an opening season game against the Giants.

Ramirez was later exonerated and two men now face trial in connection with the case.

The complaint seeks an unspecified amount for defamation.

A message left with the Los Angeles Police Department's media relations office was not immediately returned.

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