Domestic dispute turns deadly in a police shooting that leaves three children fatherless. CMS&C helps bring justice for victim's family.
This case involved the shooting death of Donald Venerable, an African-American bus driver and father of three, by a City of Sacramento police officer. The situation began as a domestic dispute when the victims' wife, Satanya Venerable, returned home to find her husband, Donald, with another woman. Satanya responded by vandalizing her husband's car. Donald called the police.
Several officers, including Defendant Ellis, responded to the call, but refused to intercede since the car was jointly owned. As the officers were leaving the scene, Donald struck his wife's car with the same piece of wood she had used to strike his car. Officers returned to the scene, drew their guns, and ordered him to put his hands up.
Holding the cell phone he had used to call the police, Donald was obedient to raise his hands. That's when an officer shot him with a stun gun. Defendant Ellis then shot him with his pistol. Donald died of multiple gun shot wounds.
The Defendants' claimed Donald was not complying with the officers' requests and that the use of force was justified. However, CMS&C located several eyewitnesses that saw Donald's arms and hands in the air when police shot him and also reported hearing him telling police he was holding a cell phone. CMS&C successfully reached an $800,000 recovery for Donald's children.
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City Agrees to Pay in Shooting by Officer
Denny Walsh, Sacramento Bee, December 28, 2002
"The city of Sacramento has agreed to pay $800,000 to the children and parents of Donald E. Venerable Jr., who was shot to death by a police officer who says he mistook the man's cell phone for a gun."
