On June 25, 2012, the City of Seattle agreed to settle Martin Monetti’s claims against the Seattle Police Department, Shandy Cobane and Mary Woollum for $150,000. Mr. Monetti claimed that he was subjected to excessive force and racial slurs and that SPD’s culture tolerates use of force and discrimination. The settlement was reached only three days after Judge Ricardo Martinez found that the case would go to trial because there was enough evidence to establish constitutional violations.
Janet Rice
Federal Court allows excessive-force and discrimination claims against Seattle Police Department to go to trial.
Ruling allows excessive-force and discrimination claims to be heard by jurors.
See related articles:
• Seattle Times
• Seattle P-I
Press Statement on Behalf of Victim of Police Attack
Seattle – May 13, 2010 – Martin Monetti is 21 years old and a graduate of Franklin High School. He lives with his mother, father, and two siblings in Seattle. On or about 1:30 a.m. on April 17, 2010, in the south Lake Union area, he was subjected to an unprovoked and illegal physical assault by two Seattle police officers, one of whom also used racist language. A number of other police officers observed the incident and did nothing to stop it. The assault and verbal attack was caught on videotape, which now has been broadcast on many TV news programs, as well as over the internet.
Mr. Monetti and his family are upset and very disappointed that members of the Seattle Police Department would engage in this unacceptable conduct. Their hope is that this incident will be used as an impetus for needed changes in the Department, so that this type of behavior will never happen again.
To members of the press, please be aware that this event, and the media firestorm surrounding it, has overwhelmed this family. They respectfully request that all questions be directed to their attorneys so that some semblance of normalcy can return to their lives. No press conference with Mr. Monetti and his family is planned at this time.
Mr. Monetti is represented by Schroeter Goldmark & Bender attorneys, M. Lorena González, Janet L. Rice and Martin S. Garfinkel. Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest plaintiffs’ law firms, litigates cases for individuals who have been subjected to illegal conduct by corporations and government.
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Contact:
Hannah Gilbert, Legal Assistant
(206) 622-8000 or email
Declaración a la Prensa en Nombre del Víctima de Ataque Policíal
Jueves, 13 de Mayo de 2010—Seattle— Martin Monetti-Ramirez tiene 21 años, y se graduó de Franklin High School. Vive con su madre, padre, una hermana y un hermano en la Cuidad de Seattle. Durante o alrededor de la 1:30 a.m., en el 17 de abril del 2010, en el sur del lago de Lake Unión, fue sometido sin provocación e físicamente asaltado por dos agentes de la policía de Seattle, uno de los cuales también utilizo comentarios racistas. Varios otros policías fueron testigos a este incidente y no hicieron nada para darle alto a lo que le pasaba a Sr. Monetti-Ramirez. El asalto y ataque verbal fue capturado en video, y que ahora ha sido retransmitido en muchos programas de televisión de noticias, así como sobre el internet.
El Sr. Monetti-Ramírez y su familia están molestos y muy decepcionados de que miembros del Departamento de Policía de Seattle se comportaron en manera inaceptable y que fueron parte de este conducto inaceptable. Sus esperanzas son que este incidente será utilizado como un impulso para cambios necesarios en el Departamento, y así que este tipo de comportamiento no sucede otra vez mas.
A los miembros de la prensa, sea por favor conscientes de que este acontecimiento, y los medios de comunicación que le rodean, ha agobiado a la familia. Ellos solicitan que todas las preguntas sean dirigidas a sus abogados para que ellos se puedan recuperar alguna normalidad en sus vidas. No se planea ninguna conferencia de prensa con el Sr. Monetti-Ramírez y su familia en este tiempo.
El Sr. Monetti-Ramirez es representado por los abogados M. Lorena González, Janet L. Rice and Martin S. Garfinkel de Schroeter Goldmark & Bender. Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, es uno de los más grandes bufetes de abogados de demandantes en el pacifico de noreste, que litigan casos representando personas que han sido sometidos a conductas ilegales por corporaciones y el gobierno.
Asbestos Awareness Day 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010 marks the sixth Annual Asbestos Awareness Day.
Asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma are among the terrible illnesses caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fiber. Since 1979, Schroeter, Goldmark & Bender has handled well over 1,000 asbestos injury cases, more than 325 of which were mesothelioma cases. Each new asbestos injury case furthers our resolve to fight for compensation for our clients against manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of asbestos-containing products. We have also been fighting against legislation that would keep people from obtaining compensation for their injuries. Crown, Cork & Seal is the most recent company that has tried to use the Washington Legislature to erase its liability to Washington asbestos victims. Washington residents won this time, but we anticipate other companies will continue to try to use the legislative process and bankruptcy courts to limit or erase their liability to victims of asbestos related diseases.
To further educate the public and gather support for issues regarding asbestos and asbestos related diseases, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization has been promoting Asbestos Awareness Day over the past six years and Asbestos Awareness Week since 2008. You can read more about Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and the work they are doing on their website or request information by mail from them at Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, 1525 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 318, Redondo Beach, California 90278.