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Black Man Died From Severe Brain Swelling after Confrontation with 8 Pasadena Cops

Attorneys representing the family of a man who fell into a coma and died after an altercation with police have filed a $10 million claim against the city, charging the incident was racially motivated. Lamont Robinson, 30, died July 10, three months after struggling with officers who, according to police, were trying to keep him from swallowing cocaine. As many as eight officers were involved in the struggle. At one point, an officer used a choke hold on Robinson, an African American. The claim, filed by attorney Carl Douglas, states that Robinson was unarmed and did nothing to warrant a "vicious' attack by the officers. The claim also accuses the officers of failing to summon medical help immediately when it became clear that Robinson was in need of aid. An autopsy report has not yet been completed. The District Attorney's Office and the FBI also are investigating. Eight Police officers tried to force what looked like several grams of rock cocaine from Robinson's mouth and a struggle ensued. At one point, officers were on top of Robinson, some trying to put his arms behind his back, others attempting to force open his mouth. Lisa Hosey, Robinson's sister, said that Robinson suffered from severe brain swelling. Doctors attributed the injuries to oxygen being cut off to Robinson's brain for a significant amount of time. Robinson also had a broken nose and open cuts and bruising all over his body after the fight, she said. [more

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