Deputies want county to cover bills
| Saturday, Jul 15 2006 12:34 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:35 PM
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Two county detentions deputies slated to stand trial in the beating death of inmate James Moore last August have filed a claim against Kern County asking it to pay their legal bills.
Roxanne Fowler and Angel Lopez Bravo filed a claim saying they were county Sheriff's Department employees acting under the color of authority at the time of the incident.
Yet the county has "failed and refused to defend" the pair, according to a claim drafted by the pair's attorney, William Bruce of Bakersfield firm Klein, DeNatale, Goldner, Cooper, Rosenlieb & Kimball LLP.
The claim goes on to say the pair want the county to pay attorney fees and any damages they face.
Bruce could not be reached Friday afternoon for comment.
A claim is a legal precursor to a possible lawsuit against a public entity such as the county.
Bernard Barmann, the county's top lawyer, said he was aware of the claim.
He also said it was one of many such filings cropping up as the case moves forward.
"The matter is being assessed ... (and) handled as we handle all claims," Barmann said.
Barmann did not immediately know whether any of the other defendants had filed claims asking the county to pay legal bills and damages.
Five county jail guards, including Fowler and Bravo, were arrested Dec. 1 in connection with Moore's death.
Fowler will stand trial for second-degree murder along with Daniel Thomas Lindini and Ralph Contreras. The three are out on bail until the trial begins.
Bravo and Lisa Diane Romero face charges of assault by a public officer.
Moore, 30, was arrested Aug. 15, 2005, on suspicion of threatening his girlfriend.
He was taken to the downtown county jail and severely injured after a confrontation with jail staff, then taken to Mercy Hospital.
He died Aug. 21 after being taken off life support.
The case is in federal district court in Fresno.
