News Digest News Digest (April 21, 2004)

Officers who allegedly beat resident on restricted duty

The two Palo Alto police officers charged with assaulting a 59-year-old African-American man last July would be back on the streets, fully reinstated, if they hadn't been arrested, Police Chief Lynne Johnson said, reporting the results of an internal investigation into the incident.

As it is, the two officers -- Craig Lee and Michael Kan -- have returned to work, albeit on restricted duty.

"Basically, they're working on some special projects," Johnson said. "They don't have any police power at this point in time."

Johnson said she wasn't allowed to say whether they had been disciplined.

Since the July incident that allegedly left Albert Hopkins with a shattered knee, the officers have been on paid leave, awaiting the results of the internal investigation.

The two officers were in court earlier this week for a preliminary hearing.

If the two officers were convicted, they would lose their jobs.

On Monday, Hopkins testified, recalling the events leading up to the alleged beating. He was sitting in his car on Oxford Avenue, near El Camino Real, watching traffic with his shoes off when he spotted a police car in his rearview mirror, Hopkins recalled.

Even before speaking with the officer, Hopkins expected trouble when Lee pulled next to him in his patrol car.

"I thought, 'Oh my goodness,'" Hopkins thought. "I just had a feeling that something would transpire."

After Lee parked behind him, Hopkins got out of his car.

Flashlight in hand, Lee yelled for Hopkins to get back into his car and close the door. Hopkins retreated to his car, but refused to close the door.

"Why do I have to close my door?" Hopkins recalled asking the officer.

A tense encounter ensued. The officer asked Hopkins for his driver's license while Hopkins asked why he was being questioned. Hopkins admitted cursing once.

After Hopkins answered a series of questions, the officer backed away from the car. Hopkins thought the encounter was over until Kan arrived on the scene.

Hopkins said Kan pulled him out of the car and began beating him with a baton. Lee also allegedly beat Hopkins with a baton. Both reportedly pepper sprayed him, according to earlier accounts of the incident.

The officers, Hopkins said, were "like two sharks going at some blood in the water."

Earlier this month, the Palo Alto City Council awarded Hopkins $250,000 to settle a claim he made against the city relating to the incident.

A third Palo Alto officer is also on restricted duty, for allegedly roughing up a teenage African-American boy near Terman Middle School on March 3. The results of the internal and criminal investigation should be completed soon, Johnson said.

The two incidents have sparked intense criticism from the local black community about the department's alleged racial profiling. --Bill D'Agostino
Caregivers' conference on Saturday

Avenidas is hosting "Essentials for the Caregiver: A One-Day Conference" Saturday, April 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Health and gerontology professionals will speak on topics such as securing services, understanding Alzheimer's, deciding when to move, tools for coping, estate planning for long-term care, helping from afar and other topics. Dr. Margaret Deanesly will present the keynote address at 9 a.m.

The conference is $30 and includes breakfast and lunch. It will be held at 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. For information, visit www.avenidas.org or call Linda Borders at 326-5362.
Gunn students roughed up in fight

More than 10 students from another school came onto Gunn High School's campus and roughed up three Gunn students Thursday shortly after 3 p.m., school officials reported.

The three injured students were left with "bumps, bruises and scrapes," according to Gunn Principal Scott Laurence. The attacking students were thought to be from Palo Alto High School.

"We believe so, but we don't know," Laurence said.

The attacking students' motives were unclear. "I really believe that the students that came onto the campus were looking to cause trouble," Laurence said.

The offending students have not been caught or identified. "The police are investigating," Laurence said.

The principal denied rumors that the incident had racial overtones.

--Bill D'Agostino

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