I Was Strangled and Beaten by a Stranger. I'm Injured. I'm Angry.

[the Dagman]

Bears, it sounds like the officers who were at the scene intentionally LIED on their police report. Almost as if they knew either your attacker or his partner, placated you at the scene, and then did their level best to cover up the extent of your involvement. Or that you were in fact the primary victim, since they seem to dismiss domestic violence so easily. Get a lawyer, have them investigate those cops. There is something majorly fishy there. And if you can prove they had involvement with either of the two men, you can prove collusion in a civil court. You get big bucks from LAPD, they get raked over the coals and likely fired should you win. Once all that is moving, throw out the idea of going to the local tv news with your story to your lawyer. This level of incompetence by the LAPD has the potential to be national news, but follow your attorney's advice.

 

[JAG]

Nah, JAG doesn't need a wig. We'll have him shave it all off, pierce his ear, and get him some serious gold chains.

It'll totally work, I tell you.

Don't forget we'll have to grow our hair long

awww crap!, can I just let what little I have left grow

Don't worry- we'll get you a wig.

Love both ideas. Thank ya kindly ladies

 

[Captain Ice]

I've made some HUGE inroads today.

That's all excellent news, Bears. It sounds like you've finally found some people who are competent. I hope you are as successful with lawsuits.

We're coming in this:

J.

Better make it a chartreuse Microbus, so that it looks like we got us a Convoy™!

Don't forget we'll have to grow our hair long and befriend Jesus (I forget if He's on Facebook or LJ).

Following that suicide jockey is gonna be rough though...he needs all the help he can get.

 

[FrontLine]

Bears, it sounds like the officers who were at the scene intentionally LIED on their police report. Almost as if they knew either your attacker or his partner, placated you at the scene, and then did their level best to cover up the extent of your involvement.

Ok so I'm not the only one whose mind this has crossed.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

^ If not that, they're stupid, barely educated (given the poor grammar on the report) and completely lazy.

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

^ If not that, they're stupid, barely educated (given the poor grammar on the report) and completely lazy.

I would scan and PDF the report if I didn't think it might damage my case. It's painfully garbled and confusing to read. If you read it you would feel embarrassment for the person who wrote it.

 

[Spot's Meow]

From watching my dad write police reports I know that they see them as a big hassle and hate doing them. My dad really cares about his job and frets about the little things (like I do) so he would spend hours after work making sure the reports looked good. But if someone wasn't willing to take the time, they could easily get facts wrong and write poorly just to get it done as quickly as possible. Basically, your luck depends on which officer you get, just like with any other job. There are people who really suck at it, people who are okay, and people who are great.

 

[pookha]

^ If not that, they're stupid, barely educated (given the poor grammar on the report) and completely lazy.

I would scan and PDF the report if I didn't think it might damage my case. It's painfully garbled and confusing to read. If you read it you would feel embarrassment for the person who wrote it.

i wouldnt do anything like without consulting with an attorney first.

still think you need to talk to the da's investigative office considering just how far off the police report was from reality.
being lazy and ignorant might account for some of it but what is even more concerning is how they didnt even try to collect evidence.
not making sure photos of the injuries were taken, not taking the shirt.
not checking the scene for blood ect..

 

[Zulu Romeo]

I've made some HUGE inroads today.

That's all excellent news, Bears. It sounds like you've finally found some people who are competent. I hope you are as successful with lawsuits.

Better make it a chartreuse Microbus, so that it looks like we got us a Convoy™!

Don't forget we'll have to grow our hair long and befriend Jesus (I forget if He's on Facebook or LJ).

Following that suicide jockey is gonna be rough though...he needs all the help he can get.

I'd just like to make it clear that the aim of this exercise is to be helping Bears as opposed to huntin' 'Bear...

Now 'scuse me while I back off another 10...

 

[Sephiroth]

It was very nice to get some acknowledgement that there were huge procedural and administrative screw ups on my case. I recieved an apology from the lady detective, and later, the gentleman detective for the major blunders that almost sent me through the cracks.

Not taking pictures was one.

Not reporting my injuries was another.

Incorrectly reporting that I declined medical treatment was another. They helped load me into the ambulance!

Letting the guy out on bail for an inappropriate charge for the severity of the crime was another.

Listing me as a victim and then treating me as a witness was another.

Claiming I tried to pry the attacker off the victim and provoked him into punching me in the face is another. Never happened.

Assigning me to the City Attorney instead of the DA was another screw up. I think had I not intervened, the case would have never been brought to the attention of the court, or would have been delayed past any statutes of limitations. He would have walked out of his jail cell with nary a peep from the court system or any other LE.

That other police report that supposedly told my side of the story? Doesn't exist. They never filed it, like they were supposed to. They only filed one report, for the other victim.

The police report didn't even use proper spelling or grammar. They couldn't get their times straight on when they were called to the scene. It was so jumbled and backward, so inconsistent that you couldn't follow the chain of events in any logical manner.

I'm appalled and amazed at the incompetence that left me in limbo for over a week.

But that's not all! While I was at the precinct, I saw them do the following:

Accidentally impound a guy's brand new car. The officer didn't bother to check for registration in the window before towing it off. The guy came into the precinct to report it stolen and found that it had been impounded for no registration, instead. He recieved an apology and a reimbursement for damages to the car because they left it in Park while towing it.

Without asking questions or mirandizing, they arrested and frisked a 14 year old girl who came in to report a school fight. In full view of everyone. Amazing. They lied to the girl and said her mom knew what was going on and approved of their actions. She didn't, and came stomping and screaming into the police precinct 20 minutes after the arrest. That still hadn't been resolved by the time we left.

Personally, if I were you, I'd STILL get a Civil lawyer and sue the LAPD - it wasn't a simple or honest mistake; it was complete incompotence and practically reckless disregard of their duties - and it put you in a potentially danerous situation; and caused you a lot of mental anguish. Given this, get yourself a good, large monetary settlement. Money won't fix what happened to you; but it sure wiill help ith the doctor bills, relocation expenses you're shouldering now, etc. I also glad you were finally able to get the real facts introduced so that they can get another warrant out on this animal. Unless the perp hears about all this; what they'll probably do is try to pick him up at the apartment; and if he's no longer there; they'll wait for him to walk into court for the dispostion of the one charge he has against him; them arrest him again, and slap the Felony charge on him. If he doesn't show at court; then he'll ALSO have skipped on bail; and with your Felony Battery charge added; once he's caught, he'll be going up river for a good long stretch. Also, if he IS on th loose, I wouldn't wotty about him coming after you; he'll be more concerned with not getting picked up. Again, either way, I'm glad things are starting to go more your way; and DON'T let the LAPD off the Civil hook either - a good Civil lawyer would be licking his lips and alivating at a good payoff for the incompotence displayed and perpetrated by the officers who responded to your incident.

Get well soon too.

this is the LAPD, if she sues before this guy is convicted, evidence will "disappear" and this nut will go free

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

It was very nice to get some acknowledgement that there were huge procedural and administrative screw ups on my case. I recieved an apology from the lady detective, and later, the gentleman detective for the major blunders that almost sent me through the cracks.

Not taking pictures was one.

Not reporting my injuries was another.

Incorrectly reporting that I declined medical treatment was another. They helped load me into the ambulance!

Letting the guy out on bail for an inappropriate charge for the severity of the crime was another.

Listing me as a victim and then treating me as a witness was another.

Claiming I tried to pry the attacker off the victim and provoked him into punching me in the face is another. Never happened.

Assigning me to the City Attorney instead of the DA was another screw up. I think had I not intervened, the case would have never been brought to the attention of the court, or would have been delayed past any statutes of limitations. He would have walked out of his jail cell with nary a peep from the court system or any other LE.

That other police report that supposedly told my side of the story? Doesn't exist. They never filed it, like they were supposed to. They only filed one report, for the other victim.

The police report didn't even use proper spelling or grammar. They couldn't get their times straight on when they were called to the scene. It was so jumbled and backward, so inconsistent that you couldn't follow the chain of events in any logical manner.

I'm appalled and amazed at the incompetence that left me in limbo for over a week.

But that's not all! While I was at the precinct, I saw them do the following:

Accidentally impound a guy's brand new car. The officer didn't bother to check for registration in the window before towing it off. The guy came into the precinct to report it stolen and found that it had been impounded for no registration, instead. He recieved an apology and a reimbursement for damages to the car because they left it in Park while towing it.

Without asking questions or mirandizing, they arrested and frisked a 14 year old girl who came in to report a school fight. In full view of everyone. Amazing. They lied to the girl and said her mom knew what was going on and approved of their actions. She didn't, and came stomping and screaming into the police precinct 20 minutes after the arrest. That still hadn't been resolved by the time we left.

Personally, if I were you, I'd STILL get a Civil lawyer and sue the LAPD - it wasn't a simple or honest mistake; it was complete incompotence and practically reckless disregard of their duties - and it put you in a potentially danerous situation; and caused you a lot of mental anguish. Given this, get yourself a good, large monetary settlement. Money won't fix what happened to you; but it sure wiill help ith the doctor bills, relocation expenses you're shouldering now, etc. I also glad you were finally able to get the real facts introduced so that they can get another warrant out on this animal. Unless the perp hears about all this; what they'll probably do is try to pick him up at the apartment; and if he's no longer there; they'll wait for him to walk into court for the dispostion of the one charge he has against him; them arrest him again, and slap the Felony charge on him. If he doesn't show at court; then he'll ALSO have skipped on bail; and with your Felony Battery charge added; once he's caught, he'll be going up river for a good long stretch. Also, if he IS on th loose, I wouldn't wotty about him coming after you; he'll be more concerned with not getting picked up. Again, either way, I'm glad things are starting to go more your way; and DON'T let the LAPD off the Civil hook either - a good Civil lawyer would be licking his lips and alivating at a good payoff for the incompotence displayed and perpetrated by the officers who responded to your incident.

Get well soon too.

this is the LAPD, if she sues before this guy is convicted, evidence will "disappear" and this nut will go free

Yes, I am reluctant to take any legal action against them until the criminal case is resolved. In the meantime I need to smile and cooperate as much as possible so as to not create grudges against me in the department.

Yesterday was a hard day, and I woke up this morning knowing that today will be harder. The initial anxiety and rage that has driven me since this started are wearing out. The exhaustion and depression are beginning to creep in.

 

[Capt_Piett]

Late to this thread, so pardon me if I advise something that's already been advised, but have you tried to talk to a lawyer? This sounds like grounds for a lawsuit, either against your landlord or the attacker. If nothing comes as a result of the investigation, it may be your only shot at getting some kind of justice.

I also feel sorry, however little, for the attacker's partner. If this was not the first time and he was beaten that badly in this incident, next time he might not have the options of pressing charges or surgery, because he'll likely be dead. I can not understand the mindset of people that intentionally get themselves into these situations, let alone stay in them.

Hope things get better for you Bear.

 

[Capt_Piett]

"I'm appalled and amazed at the incompetence that left me in limbo for over a week."

And people still wonder how OJ got off during his trial back in the day....

 

[FrontLine]

Yes, I am reluctant to take any legal action against them until the criminal case is resolved.

Smart move. But I'd still consult with an attorney or two in the mean time. Get things prepped so that when you are ready you can hit the ground running.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

Yes, I am reluctant to take any legal action against them until the criminal case is resolved.

Smart move. But I'd still consult with an attorney or two in the mean time. Get things prepped so that when you are ready you can hit the ground running.

Agreed...and find out the statute of limitations on intentional torts in California. Don't want to wait too long to file a civil suit. I would sue the attacker, his partner and possibly the LAPD for negligence.

The attacker would be suit for intentional torts, the partner for non-feasance or some other failure to act.

 

[Jan]

Bears and others...First, please believe that I'm terribly sorry about what happened to you, Bears, proud and pleased that you actually did something when you heard another person call for help and horrified by what I've read so far about how your complex and the authorities have failed you. Your strength is inspirational, truly and you have my utmost respect.

Enablers and apologists will try to paint it to be another thing, but it's exactly the same thing. Hetero women are more likely to have children in an abusive relationship than a gay couple, which increases the egregiousness of their behavior. Unlike the adults who consciously chose to put them in that sort of situation, minor children have very little power to protect themselves.

I'm a woman, so it is not some sort of gender-borne ignorance when I say that No woman should get off the hook for this sort of thing. Anyone who enables a woman to cry 'weak!' and 'powerless!' as an excuse for staying with an abuser is doing a disservice to feminism, family, and society.

But here I'm afraid I have to say that you don't know what you're talking about. Believe me, I do understand your anger but please don't let it warp your empathy for abused people. In fact, you're probably in a position to understand them even more after what's happened.

Few people know true, real fear for their lives and safety but you do now. For you, it's no longer hypothetical. You've reacted appropriately by taking action against your attacker and the people who've failed you. But, many, maybe even most, people are paralysed by fear.

Abusers are control and power freaks and they'll do whatever it takes to maintain that power. Rape their partner repeatedly. Threaten the friends or family or children of the abused if they ever try to escape. Think that those threats hold too much power? There may be things that the abuser is doing that you don't see and those threats may not just be verbal and the abused may think that by staying s/he is helping protect the lives of those they love.

All I'm saying is that every situation is different and the cycle can be broken but that chances are that battered people are not weak in character but deathly, horribly afraid.

My best wishes and respect to you.

 

[Captain X]

Don't forget we'll have to grow our hair long

awww crap!, can I just let what little I have left grow

Don't worry- we'll get you a wig.

Here you go.

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

But here I'm afraid I have to say that you don't know what you're talking about. Believe me, I do understand your anger but please don't let it warp your empathy for abused people. In fact, you're probably in a position to understand them even more after what's happened.

Few people know true, real fear for their lives and safety but you do now. For you, it's no longer hypothetical. You've reacted appropriately by taking action against your attacker and the people who've failed you.

Being strangled by someone else's abuser does great things for your clarity on this issue. I do know what I'm talking about, and I see more than ever what a bunch of excuse-making apologism it is.

Abusers are control and power freaks and they'll do whatever it takes to maintain that power. Rape their partner repeatedly. Threaten the friends or family or children of the abused if they ever try to escape. Think that those threats hold too much power? There may be things that the abuser is doing that you don't see and those threats may not just be verbal and the abused may think that by staying s/he is helping protect the lives of those they love.

Sorry, but that's what police services, victim's services, social services, women's shelters and charitiable services are for. Those services will provide you emergency relocation, give you food and clothing, and care for your children. They will get you legal aid, arrest warrants and restraining orders. They will refer you to counselors to help you and your family.

I know these things because I am availing myself of them right now. I've had my difficulties but progress is being made.

Do you how many abuse victims reject the help these services offer because they refuse to sign the legal form promising that they will not contact their abuser or tell them where they live? It's staggering and inexcusable.

If they are raped repeatedly, why do they keep themselves in a situation which allows that? Why do they keep their children in a situation that allows that? Why do they stay and allow themselves to be beaten and raped into utter helplessness? There are resources to get out of that situation the FIRST time it happens. It is their OBLIGATION to themselves, their children, and their families. What they "think" they're doing right is as far divorced from reality as one can get. Unless they're being physically restrained or imprisoned and thus cut off from the rest of the world, sorry no dice.

I've seen first hand far too many casualties in the form of children and strangers because the primary victim refuses to leave for whatever reason. I'm just the latest in a long, wrong line.

All I'm saying is that every situation is different and the cycle can be broken but that chances are that battered people are not weak in character but deathly, horribly afraid.

Certainly they are deathly afraid. I would be far more afraid of staying in a situation like that than getting out of it. They're gonna kill you and/or your kids if you stay. If you leave, you have a chance.

I know that you are trying to be empathetic. But I cannot agree. After watching childhood friends suffer things like drug addiction, sexual abuse, broken bones, jail time and nonfunctioning adulthood because their parent was "too scared" or "loved" their abusers too much to leave, this latest incident seals the deal.

 

[FrontLine]

Well said and I agree 100%

 

[Jan]

Being strangled by someone else's abuser does great things for your clarity on this issue. I do know what I'm talking about, and I see more than ever what a bunch of excuse-making apologism it is.

From your point of view I'm sure that's true.

Sorry, but that's what police services, victim's services, social services, women's shelters and charitiable services are for. Those services will provide you emergency relocation, give you food and clothing, and care for your children. They will get you legal aid, arrest warrants and restraining orders. They will refer you to counselors to help you and your family.

I know these things because I am availing myself of them right now. I've had my difficulties but progress is being made.

I'm sure that's true now. And I'm glad, very glad. Things were different back when I was in a situation I needed to escape from. But even if they do, will they protect the rest of the victim's family and friends? Of course not, they can't do everything.

If they are raped repeatedly, why do they keep themselves in a situation which allows that? Why do they keep their children in a situation that allows that? Why do they stay and allow themselves to be beaten and raped into utter helplessness? There are resources to get out of that situation the FIRST time it happens. It is their OBLIGATION to themselves, their children, and their families. What they "think" they're doing right is as far divorced from reality as one can get. Unless they're being physically restrained or imprisoned and thus cut off from the rest of the world, sorry no dice.

I can only speak from my own experience but the opportunity may not have come along for them to be able to escape while keeping everybody they care for safe. In my case it took almost four years. In that time I experienced the things I described and also was subjected to proof positive that my abuser not only could, but would harm my family and friends if I tried to get away or displeased him too much. Eventually I was able to escape by moving a couple of thousand miles away and blackmailing my abuser.

But I never meant to sidetrack the thread. Your anger is necessary to you now and that's as it should be. I simply think that it's misdirected when you paint all of the abused with the same broad brush.

Jan