Family of Los Angeles Gang Member Awarded $3M In Lawsuit

The family of a gang member who died in Los Angeles police custody in 2007 has been awarded more than $3 million in a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Los Angeles Times reported the civil jury’s award for damages in the case of Mauricio Cornejo was reached Monday.

Cornejo collapsed and died in a holding cell at the Hollenbeck station hours after a confrontation with police following a foot chase. Police said Cornejo ran from officers after he was pulled over for a traffic violation.

At trial, the city attorney’s office argued that Cornejo died from the physical strain of resisting officers and drug intoxication. But the chief medical examiner for Ventura County testified that the force used by officers was a cause of Cornejo’s death.