Latino man kicked by Seattle police files lawsuit

A Latino man who was kicked and racially taunted by Seattle police filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday over the videotaped incident that sparked a community uproar, which included calls for the officers' firings.

Martin Monetti's lawyer, Lorena Gonzalez, says in the lawsuit that the anti-Mexican language and physical abuse went beyond what was recorded by a freelance videographer, saying her client was kicked in the head several times before filming started.

"All of this occurred while he was lying on the ground, complying with officer commands, and posed absolutely no danger to these officers," said Gonzalez during a press conference attended by Monetti and his family.

In April 2010 incident, Seattle police officers responding to a robbery call outside a nightclub stopped Monetti, who was celebrating his birthday with two friends, according to the lawsuit. A video shot by a freelance videographer shows officers kicking him and using a racially charged insult.

According to the lawsuit, Monetti, 22, was kicked and stomped on the head and hand several times in the incident involving Seattle police officers Shandy Cobane and Mary L. Woollum.

"Defendant Cobane made a number of racist and demeaning comments to Monetti and Garcia during this incident, including `You got me? I am going to kick the (expletive) Mexican (expletive) out of you homey. You feel me?' "

Monetti was not charged in the incident and Gonzalez said her client eventually became a witness in the robbery case, to which the officers were responding.

Attempts to reach Seattle police for comment were not immediately successful.

The department released a statement Wednesday saying its officers had "reasonable suspicion" to detain Monetti, but that language used by Shandy Cobane during the April 2010 incident was "unacceptable."

Last month, Seattle Police Chief John Diaz suspended Cobane for 30 days, removed him from the gang unit and assigned him to do community work with Latinos. He said Woollum would also be disciplined, but details of that have not been released.

The statement characterized Diaz's action as "the most severe discipline available short of termination."

However, Gonzalez said the city's actions weren't enough. The lawsuit is seeking the department institute improved policies and training. And that officers who use such language in the future be terminated - something Diaz said would happen in the future.

The lawsuit against the city and the officers Monetti says his civil rights were violated by police using excessive force, among other allegations.

The suit says the officers' behavior was observed by other police officers but did nothing to stop it.

"It also bothered me that there were many other officers who just stood around and watched and did nothing. No one helped me. Not one of them told them to stop. I hope the filing of my case in court will encourage the Seattle police department to make it a better police department," Monetti said.

Gonzalez declined to answer questions of how much money her client is seeking. But an earlier claim against the city that failed to reach settlement sought $750,000, according to The Seattle Times.