A man who was arrested, then cleared as suspect No. 1 in the high-profile beating of Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium last year has filed a second lawsuit, alleging the Los Angeles Police Department violated his civil rights.
Full Coverage: The Bryan Stow Case
Giovanni Ramirez claims that police illegally searched his home during a parole check in May 2011, searching for evidence that could support LAPD Chief Charlie Beck's hunch that Ramirez was responsible for the Stow beating.
The complaint, filed Sept. 20 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, alleges civil rights and due process violations, fabricating evidence, defamation, making false statements to the press to prejudice a criminal case and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
"Yes, my client has had a rough life and survived worse struggles than most men will ever even witness," Ramirez's attorney, Okorie Okorocha, said in a statement. "He was doing his best at the time, and out of nowhere, Charlie Beck made him public enemy No. 1."
The LAPD declined to comment.
The federal lawsuit is the second one Ramirez has filed in the case. In July, he filed a defamation suit against the LAPD and Beck.
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.
