Two L.A. women will be paid $4.2 million by the city of Los Angeles after they were shot by police during the Christopher Dorner manhunt.
On February 7, LAPD officers fired around 100 bullets into the car of Margie Carranza and her mother Emma Hernandez. The two women, who were delivering newspapers, were driving a vehicle that had been misidentified by police.
Ms. Hernandez was shot in the back and Ms. Carranza sustained minor injuries.
Glen Jonas, attorney for the women, said his clients were happy to wait for their $4.2 million payout until the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, to help ease the city’s financial troubles. He also revealed police and other city leaders had played a role in the negotiation process:
“The LAPD, the chief, were consulted at every step of the way. We weren’t going to have an agreement unless the city leaders – all of them – thought that it was a fair agreement for everyone involved.”
A lawyer representing Los Angeles also expressed satisfaction, describing the settlement as a “win-win” for both parties. Attorney Carmen Trutanich said:
“In reaching the settlement we hope that Margie and Emma will be able to move on with their lives. The city will be spared literally millions of dollars in litigation fees.”
The two women were previously compensated to the tune of $40,000 after they had to replace their bullet-riddled truck.
It’s believed Christopher Dorner was responsible for killing three people in a nine-day spree in California during February. The former cop and ex-Navy reservist died in a gunfight at a mountain cabin near the Big Bear Lake ski resort.
In an online manifesto, Dorner claimed racism was still rife in the LAPD.