Police Misconduct Alleged In Denver Arrest

DENVER (AP) - An attorney has brought a lawsuit against the city and a police officer alleging misconduct in the arrest of a man who a judge said who was wrongly charged in a series of attacks in downtown Denver.

Attorney David Lane on Tuesday cited what he described as a continuing pattern with Denver police, and he wants a federal civil rights investigation.

The latest case involves a man who spent 16 days in jail before he was released by Denver District Court Judge Edward Bronfin, who ruled there was what he called "a reckless disregard for the truth" by arresting officer Paul Baca in getting an affidavit for arrest.

The lawsuit says two witnesses claimed their statements against the suspect, Aaron Puller, were misstated.

Denver city attorney David Broadwell said he has not seen the lawsuit and had no comment. The Department of Justice did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Denver law enforcement authorities have been under fire in recent months since the death of Marvin L. Booker, who was placed in a "sleeper" hold and shocked with a Taser in an incident in which deputies also piled on top of him. Booker had been arrested for investigation of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The case drew outrage when the district attorney ruled that no charges would be filed against deputies who shocked and subdued Booker.

In May, the ACLU of Colorado and other organizations called for a federal investigation in that case. The FBI says the case was turned over to the Justice Department in Washington for review.

Since 2004, the city has paid out more than $3.9 million to settle complaints against police, according to the ACLU.

In 2009, Alex Landau, a 19-year-old college student, was pulled over by police for failing to signal. Police officers demanded that Landau open the truck of his car. Landau responded, with his hands up, and asked police for a warrant. The ACLU said he was badly beaten and suffered permanent injuries. The Denver Police Internal Affairs Bureau conducted an investigation and the city settled or more than $800,000.

- By Steven K. Paulson, AP Writer

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