Corpus Christi police targeted in excessive-force lawsuits

A Corpus Christi family claims in a lawsuit against the city their loved one was unlawfully shocked by a police stun gun and kicked by an officer.

The lawsuit, filed last month on behalf of Gerardo Contreras, argues Corpus Christi police officers used excessive force on him during an incident on Masterson Drive.

Contreras died following the incident. He showed signs of mental illness and impairment, the lawsuit states.

“The real impetus for filing the case is to make things better,” said attorney Chris Gale, who represents Contreras' family members. “I’ve been having the concern for a long time in regards to the way police and jails are treating people with mental health issues, and this is just kind of an example of what happens.”

Lt. Michael Pena, a spokesman for the Corpus Christi Police Department, deferred comment to the city's legal department, which would not speak on the matter.

Attorneys for the city have until mid July to respond to the claims.

The lawsuit also argues the city is liable for failing to properly train or supervise its officers. 

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Corpus Christi, on May 8, and comes around the same time as another lawsuit claiming excessive force by law enforcement. 

That action stems from an incident involving a man who was shot by a Corpus Christi police officer in March. Richard Salazar survived and is suing the city, Senior Officer Gilbert Cantu and Officer Jacqueline DeLeon.  

More:Man shot by officer on Corpus Christi's Westside sues city, police

Police said Salazar matched the description of a robbery suspect. He was shot at his home after a lighter in his hand was mistaken for a weapon.

After the shooting, police said the man was not involved in the robbery.

The lawsuit seeks more than $12 million in damages and argues Salazar was not a threat to officers nor did he commit a crime. It states there’s a "pervasive pattern of civil rights abuses by the City of Corpus Christi police officers against persons who live within the city." 

The litigation filed on Contreras’ behalf states that on March 22, 2018 police found Contreras on a porch “in an obviously confused state and displaying signs of mental illness and impairment.”

Before that, he had left his home and crossed the street “gasping and stumbling” as he approached a neighbor's door to ask for help and to call police, the lawsuit states.

The officers, identified only as "Jane/John Doe," threatened to stun Contreras if he didn’t lay down.

“Confused and continuously shouting, Gerardo does offer some resistance to such unnecessary force,” the lawsuit states.

One officer stunned Contreras twice in is back, while another officer "detained" Contreras, according to the lawsuit. Another officer arrived, and started kicking the man in his head.

The man eventually lost consciousness, it states.

“As a result of the above-described actions/inactions, (Contreras) sustained numerous injuries and died,” the lawsuit states. 

Gale said he still awaiting the medical examiner’s report and video footage of the incident. 

More:Man suing city, police after acquittal to appear in court on lawsuit

At least one other lawsuit against Corpus Christi related to excessive force is pending in federal court.

Ray Rosas filed a lawsuit in 2017 against officers and the city after he was acquitted by a Nueces County jury. 

That case is set for trial in August, court records show. 

Eleanor Dearman covers the justice system and Texas politics. Consider supporting local journalism with a digital subscription to the Caller-Times.