A federal jury began hearing the lawsuit brought by the family of a 24-year-old carpet layer who died in 2002 when he was shot 31 times by seven officers. Fatal shooting violated civil rights, lawyer argues Alejandro Jimenez was violent and troubled, but did he have to die riddled by police bullets in a strip mall parking lot across from the county mental hospital three years ago? A San Diego federal jury is being asked to decide that question in a trial that began yesterday. A lawyer for Jimenez's wife told them the March 22, 2002, Midway-area shooting was avoidable and a violation of the man's civil rights. Seven San Diego police officers shot the man 31 times as a result of "contagious fire," said Alvin Gomez, describing a phenomenon in which several officers instinctively fire their guns because they hear someone else shoot rather than size up the situation on their own. The deadly confrontation began after police were called to a candy store where Jimenez was banging a broomstick against plate-glass windows. Officers tried to subdue him, but Jimenez managed to wrest control of one of their expandable metal batons and grabbed a discarded and empty police beanbag shotgun. When he was shot, Jimenez was on the ground and could have been brought under control without gunfire, Gomez told the jury. "Deadly force was unnecessary," he said. While he didn't specify the damage amount he is seeking, Gomez said an economist will testify that Jimenez, a 24-year-old carpet layer, would have earned $1.2 million to $1.8 million had he worked a full life. A lawyer for the city and the officers said they had to shoot because Jimenez posed a fatal threat. [more] and [more]