Jury: Sheriff's Office didn't violate man's civil rights

A jury ruled in favor of Lake County and gave nothing to alleged victim Larry Martinez, who accused law enforcement of using excessive force following a routine traffic stop in July of 2016.

According to a court official, a jury of six men and six women decided Friday that Lake County law enforcement had not “recklessly disregarded” Martinez’s Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

In spite of Martinez’s extensive medical history dating back to a motorcycle accident he sustained in 1996, Martinez’s attorney tried to showcase the after effects of the injuries he suffered after being arrested.

Martinez, who during the cross-examination, detailed an extensive medical history. His attorney argued that because of the July 2016 arrest, he was no longer able to participate in activities he once enjoyed.

During the civil trial, Martinez documented using a variety of prescription drugs prior to allegedly sustaining injuries during the 2016 arrest, and allegedly sustaining multiple injuries that have significantly affected his quality of life, his attorney argued.

Martinez sued Lake County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Carlson and detention officer Cody Struble in August of 2017. Struble no longer is a county employee.

Martinez claimed that both of these officers allegidly violated his constitutional rights.

Martinez claimed Carlson’s handcuff’s caused Martinez to suffer a wrist injury. The injury allegedly required Martinez to have surgery, and officer Strubel allegedly body-slammed him for allegedly not following orders.

The term “body-slam” was questioned in the context of every day use, and the interpretation of the word in the context of professional use with law enforcement, for which they claim to have no place in their vocabulary.

Martinez, who the court documented as a “good lip reader,” had a hearing impairment since childhood. During the cross examination, it was questioned whether his hearing impairment played a role in communication with the accused officers.

During the examination, both officers claimed Martinez, 71, was allegedly incoherent, combative and drunk when they detained and attempted to restrain him, who reportedly drove his Dodge Durango off the road into a ditch.