FROM:
Karyn Sinunu, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Peter Waite, Deputy District Attorney
Homicide Unit
(408) 792-2603 For Release on July 30, 2003 DISTRICT ATTORNEY FILES ASSAULT CHARGES AGAINST TWO PALO ALTO POLICE OFFICERS Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office charged felony violation of Penal Code section 149, Assault and Battery by a Peace Officer, against Palo Alto officers Craig Lee and Michael Kan. On July 13, 2003, at 10:34 p.m., on-duty and uniformed officer Lee drove his marked police car up to 59-year-old Albert Hopkins, who was sitting in his parked car on Oxford Avenue near the intersection of the El Camino Real in Palo Alto. Officer Lee asked Hopkins for identification. Hopkins did not initially give his name; Lee learned his name by a radio check on Hopkins’ car license plate. Hopkins then confirmed his identity and his Palo Alto address. He could not find his driver’s license in the car. After this encounter, on-duty and uniformed Palo Alto Police officer Michael Kan stopped his marked police car nearby. Officer Lee spoke to Kan; Kan then ordered Hopkins out of the car. Officer Kan tried to pull Hopkins out of the car; he initially resisted but then stood up. Kan then hit Hopkins repeatedly with his police baton while Hopkins tried to ward off blows. Officer Lee also hit Hopkins repeatedly with his police baton. When officers Kan and Lee failed to subdue Hopkins with baton blows, both officers doused him extensively with pepper spray. Hopkins was overcome, temporarily blinded and handcuffed. Paramedics provided first aid at the scene. Hawkins was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries, including abrasions on his body and a raised welt near his eye. Palo Alto Police Department launched an immediate and very thorough investigation which culminated in the charge filed. Anyone with information about this incident should contact Sgt. Mike Denson of Palo Alto Police Department at (650) 329-2406.
Karyn Sinunu, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Peter Waite, Deputy District Attorney
Homicide Unit
(408) 792-2603 For Release on July 30, 2003 DISTRICT ATTORNEY FILES ASSAULT CHARGES AGAINST TWO PALO ALTO POLICE OFFICERS Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office charged felony violation of Penal Code section 149, Assault and Battery by a Peace Officer, against Palo Alto officers Craig Lee and Michael Kan. On July 13, 2003, at 10:34 p.m., on-duty and uniformed officer Lee drove his marked police car up to 59-year-old Albert Hopkins, who was sitting in his parked car on Oxford Avenue near the intersection of the El Camino Real in Palo Alto. Officer Lee asked Hopkins for identification. Hopkins did not initially give his name; Lee learned his name by a radio check on Hopkins’ car license plate. Hopkins then confirmed his identity and his Palo Alto address. He could not find his driver’s license in the car. After this encounter, on-duty and uniformed Palo Alto Police officer Michael Kan stopped his marked police car nearby. Officer Lee spoke to Kan; Kan then ordered Hopkins out of the car. Officer Kan tried to pull Hopkins out of the car; he initially resisted but then stood up. Kan then hit Hopkins repeatedly with his police baton while Hopkins tried to ward off blows. Officer Lee also hit Hopkins repeatedly with his police baton. When officers Kan and Lee failed to subdue Hopkins with baton blows, both officers doused him extensively with pepper spray. Hopkins was overcome, temporarily blinded and handcuffed. Paramedics provided first aid at the scene. Hawkins was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries, including abrasions on his body and a raised welt near his eye. Palo Alto Police Department launched an immediate and very thorough investigation which culminated in the charge filed. Anyone with information about this incident should contact Sgt. Mike Denson of Palo Alto Police Department at (650) 329-2406.