Jury Awards $33.5M to Parents of California Man Killed by Deputy

A federal court jury has awarded $33.5 million in damages to the parents of a man who was fatally shot by a Southern California sheriff’s deputy in November 2015.

The jury found that the San Bernardino County deputy unreasonably detained 29-year-old Nathanael Pickett, delayed medical aid and was negligent in use of deadly force.

The jury award included $15.5 million in compensatory damages and $18 million in punitive damages.

Sheriff’s officials tell the Los Angeles Times and the Southern California News Group the department strongly disagrees with outcome of the trial and the verdict will be appealed.

The shooting occurred outside a motel in Barstow.

The county claimed Pickett assaulted Deputy Kyle Woods but plaintiffs’ attorney Dale K. Galipo contended the account was made up.