GLENDALE WANTS NEW TRIAL IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE.Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer GLENDALE - The city is asking for a new trial - or a reduction in a $3.5 million jury award - in the case of three female Glendale police officers who endured years of harassment, discrimination and retaliation RETALIATION. The act by which a nation or individual treats another in the same manner that the latter has treated them. For example, if a nation should lay a very heavy tariff on American goods, the United States would be justified in return in laying heavy duties on the manufactures and on the job. Citing juror juror n. any person who actually serves on a jury. Lists of potential jurors are chosen from various sources such as registered voters, automobile registration or telephone directories. misconduct, irregularities in trial proceedings and insufficient evidence insufficient evidence n. a finding (decision) by a trial judge or an appeals court that the prosecution in a criminal case or a plaintiff in a lawsuit has not proved the case because the attorney did not present enough convincing evidence. , the city filed a motion for a new trial motion for a new trial n. a request made by the loser for the case to be tried again on the basis that there were significant legal errors in the way the trial was conducted and/or the jury or the judge sitting without a jury obviously came to an incorrect result. Thursday - two months after the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. jury heard the case. Earlier, attorneys for the city also filed post-trial motions, which are precursors to an appeal, asking the trial judge to reduce the amount of the jury's verdict. A hearing has been set for Sept. 2. ``There's enough that causes concern to order a brand-new trial,'' said Irma Rodriguez Moisa, the attorney representing Glendale. ``We have discovered through interviews of jurors some misconduct that occurred.'' For example, Moisa said, one of the jurors said during the pretrial pre·tri·al n. A proceeding held before an official trial, especially to clarify points of law and facts. adj. 1. Of or relating to a pretrial. 2. questioning that he had one cousin in law enforcement but did not talk extensively to him about the job. However, some jurors revealed that the same man told them during deliberations that he had specialized knowledge about law enforcement because many of his family and friends worked in the field. Bradley Gage, the plaintiffs' attorney, filed motions a week ago asking the judge to increase the verdict amounts and grant attorneys fees. He said Friday that he is confident the verdict will stand. ``These motions are the same arguments they have raised throughout the trial and lost on,'' Gage said. ``I don't believe the judge will throw out the verdict.'' If the judge denies the motions, the city's next alternative would be to seek an appeal of the case pending the approval of the City Council - a move Gage expects. ``I would be surprised if the city did not file a notice of appeal,'' Gage said. ``However, if the city was really intent on eradicating harassment in the workplace, then I would expect the city would want to end this litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. .'' In the verdict announced June 2, the jury found the city of Glendale was negligent in preventing the harassment and discrimination that Officers Jaime Franke, Renae Kerner and Kathryn Frieders experienced from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, creating a hostile work environment A hostile work environment exists when an employee experiences workplace harassment and fears going to work because of the offensive, intimidating, or oppressive atmosphere generated by the harasser. . Jurors awarded Franke nearly $1.4 million in the case; Kerner was awarded $1.3 million; and Frieders $850,000. Naush Boghossian, (818) 546-3306 naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com |
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