Judge rules ‘Mexican piss’ lawsuit should go forward against Seattle Police
Jun 21, 2012, 6:00 PM | Updated: 7:12 pm
Seattle Police Officer Shandy Cobane had a man on the ground outside the China Harbor restaurant near South Lake Union while officers investigated a robbery in 2010. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
A federal judge has ruled a lawsuit against the City of Seattle and a police officer who used racially charged language should go forward.
Seattle Police Officer Shandy Cobane had a man on the ground outside the China Harbor restaurant near South Lake Union while officers investigated a robbery in 2010.
While Martin Monetti, a Latino man, was down, Cobane said, “I’m going to beat the (expletive) Mexican piss out of you homey. You feel me?”
A freelance videographer captured the exchange and sold it to a local TV station. Every media outlet picked it up locally and it was the subject of national news. Stations also broadcast Cobane’s tearful apology and he received a 30-day suspension.
Monetti has since sued the city. The lawsuit names the City of Seattle, Officer Shandy Cobane and Officer Mary Woollum.
The incident helped prompt the U.S. Justice Department to launch an investigation of the Seattle Police Department.
The suit, filed by Martin Monetti, claims cops used excessive, racially motivated force when he was held during a robbery investigation.
97.3 KIRO FM’s Linda Thomas contributed to this report.
