MESA, Ariz. - Robert Johnson has filed a lawsuit seeking nearly $2 million from the city of Mesa after he was punched repeatedly be Mesa PD officers on May 23 in an apartment complex hallway.
Officers were apparently investigating a domestic violence call and Johnson was a friend of the suspect.
Video released showed Johnson in the hallway of the apartment complex, looking at his phone near an elevator. Then officers walk up and hit him several times in the face and body. The elevator opens and more officers come out to join in.
Mesa police officers asked Johnson to sit down and he refused and leaned against the wall instead, according to one officer's report from the May incident.
"Johnson then leaned with his back against the wall, but with his legs fully extended. In that position, Johnson not only had lateral mobility, but also a strong base in the wall to fight off of. I recognized this from combative training I have received in the past, which boasts on the necessity of putting a wall to your back when confronted with multiple opponents."
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According to a claim sent to the Mesa City Clerk's office and the Mesa mayor's office from Johnson's attorneys at Robbins and Curtin PLLC, Johnson is seeking $1,974,000.
According to the claim, "this amount will resolve all claims that Robert could bring, including, but not limited to, claims for wrongful arrest, excessive force, negligence, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress."
"Following the officers' attack, Robert was wrongfully arrested and wrongfully charged with disorderly conduct and hindering prosecution...Since his release, Robert has sought medical treatment for his physical, mental and emotional injuries," the claim says before saying the most lasting effect of the assault is the emotional and psychological harm.
The claim was sent on Nov. 13, and the city has 60 days to respond before the lawsuit can go to court.