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Widow seeks $6 million in husband's death

By Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 18, 2008 at 8:18 p.m.
Updated July 18, 2008 at 8:18 p.m.

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The widow of a man who died in a confrontation with Denver and Lakewood police officers is seeking at least $6 million in damages, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in federal court.

The suit named seven Denver police officers and one Lakewood officer, and accused them of using excessive force during the July 16, 2007 ,confrontation with Albert A. Romero.

After one officer wrestled Romero to the ground, he "was severely beaten by eight police officers and they beat Mr. Romero with impact weapons, their fists, and kicked him while holding him down on the ground and handcuffing him," according to the suit.

Romero suffered eight broken ribs, four puncture wounds in his back and buttocks, and multiple bruises and scratches, according to the suit.

The claim was filed on behalf of Romero's wife, Debra C. Romero, who had criticized the officers' use of a Taser to subdue her husband. The lawsuit alleged that one Denver officer, Marc Smith, fired four Taser rounds at Romero.

Debra Romero's lawyer, Douglas L. Romero, no relation to the plaintiffs, declined to comment about the suit.

A spokeswoman for Mayor John Hickenlooper could not be reached for comment Friday. Steve Davis, Lakewood police spokesman, referred inquiries to the city attorney, who also could not be reached.

However, Richard Rosenthal, Denver's independent monitor who reviews investigations of the police and sheriff's departments, concluded that Denver police officers were justified when they used a Taser.

Rosenthal ruled that the officers were following policy when they used the Taser on Romero, who was acting aggressively and failed to heed their commands to stop.

The Denver medical examiner was unable to figure out precisely what killed the 47-year-old Realtor but ruled the death was due to complications of cardiopumonary arrest. The 270-pound Romero suffered from heart disease and he had marijuana in his system.

Denver police were called to investigate a disturbance at Romero's home in the 6100 block of West Yale Avenue, which runs along the Lakewood border. Romero was dressed only boxer shorts, covered in blood and was running around his neighborhood, breaking yard lights and vehicle headlights and shouting, "Oh, Jesus," and "Jesus Christ," according to the suit.

However, the suit claimed that no witness had indicated that Romero was threatening anyone.

In one major discrepancy, the suit alleged that Romero walked up to one of the arriving patrol cars, but posed no immediate threat, when the officer hit him with the Taser. Police said Romero charged at the patrol vehicle and ignored officers' commands forcing the officer to fire a Taser.

Comments

  • July 18, 2008

    8:53 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    EZBakeOven writes:

    Good luck getting your money, lady.

  • July 18, 2008

    10:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    roger44 writes:

    Throw it out. Guy on drugs, crazy, and expects to be treated with kid gloves, come on, get real.

  • July 18, 2008

    11:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MissyBitchCakes writes:

    I mean, really? I wonder what this suit will cost the tax dollar in defense. For REAL?

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