Fresno Police Sued: Homeless Man Claims Assault and Battery

By KSEE News

July 30, 2010 Updated Oct 22, 2009 at 5:38 PM PDT

The lawsuit filed against the City of Fresno, Police Chief Jerry Dyer, Sgt. Jeffrey Gross and Officer Scott Payn, alleges that Glen Beaty suffered emotional and physical pain after a confrontation on February 9, 2009.

A witness captured video of the two officers striking Beaty. They were originally called to a field near Blackstone and Bullard for a welfare check. Beaty appeared to be sleeping on the ground. After the incident caught on tape, Beaty was arrested for a parole violation and violating a restraining order. Beaty's criminal cases have been put on hold. He has been diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic and committed to Atascadero to receive treatment.

In the meantime, Attorney Russell Cook has filed a civil lawsuit in the hopes of forcing change at the Fresno Police Department and claiming damages for his client.

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