Trial on LAPD use of less than lethal launchers, Olympic medalist Mia Hamm to host soccer camp in LA, Bob Baker Day festival— Afternoon Edition

Support comes from City of STEM. City of STEM in Los Angeles Maker Fair returned to Exposition Park on April 26th.

This all day free, all ages event has over 200 experiences. Enjoy hands-on activities, experiments, workshops, live music and more.

No ticket necessary. Open to the public. For details visit cityofstem.org.

Support for LAS comes from Pasadena Water and Power.

PWP now offers commercial and residential customers rebates on solar power systems and battery energy storage systems.

Learn more about the program and how to apply at www.pweb.com-solar.

Today on the L.A. Report, how a civil trial that's underway could impact how the LAPD uses less lethal munitions.

Olympic gold medalist Mia Hamm is bringing her soccer skills to L.A.

and the annual Bob Baker Day Festival is back this weekend.

It's Wednesday, April 8th. I'm Nidea Zamoreno and you're listening to the L.A. Reports after noon edition from LAS News.

The civil trial of two LAPD officers accused of blinding a college student with a less lethal

launcher during a 2020 Dodgers World Series celebration kicked off yesterday.

The outcome could have implications not only for how LAPD uses less lethal munitions,

but also for how juries might decide more recent cases involving people accusing police of

injuring them during ice protests last year. Watchdog correspondent Jordan running was in the

courtroom and he joins us now. Hey Jordan. So what can you tell us about this case?

Okay, so Isaac Custinianos and some friends were celebrating after the Dodgers won the World Series

back in October of 2020 and they went downtown near the crypto.com arena where he says police

arrived and as Custinianos was beginning to move away and dispersed from this crowd they were in.

He says he was hitting the eye by a less lethal projectile. He claims there was no warning and he

did nothing aggressive or violent and his lawyers also say that the officers fired their weapons

from farther away than was allowed by LAPD policy causing these projectiles to be less controlled

and they say it was unreasonable for officers to have fired their weapons at all because this crowd

they say was dispersing and he said he was left with a permanent loss of vision in that eye.

It has been difficult for him to work since the injury and that he hasn't been able to play

esports which he'd done before at a professional level and it trained for the two LAPD officers in

this case who are alleged to have caused the injury argued saying that it wasn't an LAPD

or a lethal round that hit Custinianos and that he is quote embellishing I quote how bad his

injury is so the jury is expected to hear all these facts make a decision next week and this

isn't just an isolated case though right do we know of other people who claim to have been

injured by LAPD's use of these crowd control weapons yes so according to LAPD's own records

there were 12 injuries recorded during the anti-ice protests in June and then another two injuries

after the Dodgers won the World Series last November and those are just the injuries that LAPD

was aware of there's other people who most likely took themselves to the hospital and are not

included in those records and there are a few cases that we do know of so could this case change

anything for how LAPD operates the drama is fondy are he is representing Custinianos in court

and he said that he'd like to see this case be a reminder to officers to follow the policies

that they do have in place and then on the other side Michael Williamson is attorney for LAPD

he says that he hopes people will see this case as frivolous and eventually moved give officers

in L.A. and across the country more blanket immunity against these kinds of injury claims that's L.A.

is watchdog correspondent Jordan Brunning Jordan thank you so much

thanks Narita coming up Olympic gold medalist Mia Ham is coming to L.A. stick around

support for L.A. is comes from the palace Verde's peninsula land conservancy

presenting the wild and scenic film festival on tour in celebration of earth day

the festival features short films highlighting conservation outdoor adventure and environmental

stewardship with screenings on April 25th and 26th in San Pedro

community members can also participate in an earth day volunteer event on April 18th

and a silent online auction benefiting local habitat restoration running through April 28th

tickets and details are available at pvplc.org slash earth day

support comes from city of stem you're invited to L.A.'s official science festival city of stem and

Los Angeles make your fair return to exposition park on April 26th this all day free all ages event

will have over 200 experiences including hands-on activities experiments making and workshops

expand your mind with the science of sport get crafty in the maker fair sponsored by the

L.A. public library or take our mini RC low writers for a drive enjoy live music food trucks and

guest appearances this bilingual event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. no ticket necessary open to the

public get all the details at cityofstem.org welcome back to the L.A. report i'm nidae

tamorino Olympic gold medalist and world cup champion Mia ham is coming to l.a. county for a one

day youth soccer camp it's taking place at dignity health sports parking Carson on May 30th

and it's open to kids ages 6 to 12 and it's completely free parents can register on the

Hyundai youth soccer camp website the annual bob bakerday festival is back this weekend

it's a free festival that celebrates the legacy of bob baker founder of the marionette theater

there will be music art a dog costume contest and of course puppets and this year's grand

marshal is l.a. county fair mascot thummer it's happening at l.a. state historic park this sunday

from 10 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon thanks for listening to the l.a. report i'm nidae

tamorino this podcast is produced with help from jilly and moran pedes our engineer is donald fast

you can read more at l.a.s.com or listen live anytime on the l.a.s. app or on the radio at 89.3 fm

listeners like you help make the l.a. report possible please donate at l.a.s.com slash join

and the l.a. report is supported by gordon and donna crawford who believe quality journalism makes

southern california a better place to live i'm frank stoltz the civics and democracy reporter here at

l.a.s. it's my job to make it easier for you to understand how to participate in the political

process like voting which is why i'm pleased to tell you the l.a.s. to voter game plan is back

we're here to help you navigate your ballot with informed accurate reporting on the candidates

and the issues participation in elections makes for a stronger community learn more visit

l.a.s.com slash vote