Jackson County Courthouse Roundup

Ortega named to city’s judicial commission

A former high-ranking police official is joining the Municipal Judicial Nominating Commission.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser appointed Vince Ortega to the commission on Thursday. He replaces Nelsie Sweeney, a Kay Barnes appointee whose term expired at the end of 2008.

Ortega works as a national security specialist for General Electric. He previously was a member of the Kansas City Police Department from 1976 to 2006 and earned the rank of deputy chief of police.

“Mr. Ortega brings a strong law enforcement background to the Commission and will provide a powerful voice for the Latino community,” Funkhouser said in a written statement.

 

Police brutality trial begins today

A mentally challenged man will begin presenting evidence to a jury this week alleging he was brutally beaten by Kansas City police officers.

Darrell Sterling claimed four officers left him with multiple injuries during an incident outside his house in June 2003.

He sued the Kansas City Police Department in June 2007. The two sides will begin picking a jury today in Judge Justine Del Muro’s courtroom.

According to the petition, Sterling complained to his neighbor, Elisha Wealot, about trash thrown in his yard. Wealot and others living in the home allegedly began harassing him.

Another neighbor living across the street called 911 and told the operator to send police “because [Sterling] lives alone and they cause him trouble all the time,” the lawsuit states.

Officers James Manley and Gwen Merino were the first to respond. They spoke with the residents at Wealot’s home. One of them allegedly complained Sterling threw trash into their yard.

As Sterling was entering his home, Manley asked him if he had any weapons. Sterling, according to the petition, said he didn’t and continued to proceed inside his house.

At that time, Sterling claims, Manley and Merino grabbed him and took him to the ground. They then allegedly sprayed pepper spray in Sterling’s eyes.

At that point, two more officers, Chris Van Draska and James Sola, arrived.

Sterling contends the four officers repeatedly struck him, leaving him with cuts to his face, a fractured eye socket and multiple bruises.

He is seeking actual and punitive damages.

According to court records, the officers contend Sterling was uncooperative. And Van Draska testified during his deposition that he saw Sterling kicking Manley when he and Sola arrived at the scene.