California Lawyer: Client nearly blinded by police in beating

By Thomas Watkins Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Police beat a man so violently in a Los Angeles suburb that he was left nearly blind while one officer briefly pointed a gun or Taser at his 3-year-old nephew, an attorney said last week. Attorney Brad Gage said about six El Monte officers pummeled his client Cornelio David Chavez for at least 10 minutes after arriving at the home of his mother to arrest Chavez on outstanding warrants. Chavez, 35, was initially blinded and remains 85 percent sightless, Gage said. El Monte police defended the officers' actions in a statement, saying that Chavez appeared to be under the influence of drugs when he sprung from a closet and attacked police who were looking for him. "During the violent struggle, Chavez is believed to have been struck in the head when one of the officers felt the suspect reaching for his service issued weapon," the police department said. Prosecutors filed two counts of felony resisting arrest, two counts of misdemeanor assault on a police officer and other charges against Chavez in connection with the incident, police said. Gage also claims an officer pointed a handgun or a Taser at Chavez's young nephew, who ran into a bedroom where the arrest was taking place and tried to intervene. Gage has filed a claim against the police department. If it's rejected, he plans to file a lawsuit. The department is conducting an investigation into allegations of excessive use of force, police said. The officers involved in the incident remain on full duty. Chavez has a criminal history that includes a conviction for possession of burglary tools. He is facing several charges stemming from the June 24 arrest, including battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. Police said Chavez was on probation with several active warrants when they went to apprehend him at the request of county probation officials. Published: Mon, Aug 29, 2011