In Bakersfield, a muted response to beating by deputies

The beating is the latest in several high-profile incidents involving the Sheriff’s Department. The parents of Jose Lucero won $4.5 million in a wrongful-death lawsuit stemming from a 2010 incident in which their son died after being beaten by deputies.

Lucero, who was mentally ill, called 911 several times, saying a friend was being murdered in Lancaster. Four officers responding to the call struck him 33 times with batons and shocked him with a Taser 29 times, according to court testimony. No charges were filed against the officers, one of whom was also involved in the Silva beating.

In 2011, a sheriff’s deputy shot and killed David Turner, a former NFL football player. Two deputies were responding to a call about an adult buying beer for minors at a liquor store. The killing was ruled within department policy because Turner had raised a bag of beers and was about to swing them at an officer. The beers were deemed a lethal weapon.

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