"A federal jury awarded more than $27 million in damages to an Adelanto man who now uses a wheelchair after being shot multiple times by a San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy in 2021. The jury reached a verdict on Monday and found that the deputy used excessive force and was negligent when he fired six shots at Steffon Todd Barber, 40, who was attempting to reverse his vehicle out of a narrow driveway."
"Dale K. Galipo, lead counsel in the case, said in a written statement that the verdict was fair compensation for Barber. "As a result of the shooting, Mr. Barber suffered serious physical, mental, and emotional injuries," he wrote. In an email response to The Times, Jenny Smith, spokesperson for the Sheriff's Department, said that although the jury in the civil case reached a different conclusion,"
"She noted that a jury had convicted Barber of assault with a deadly weapon. Barber was sentenced to more than 10 years in state prison on June 20. "This case reflects the complex and often difficult circumstances deputies face when responding to rapidly evolving incidents," Smith wrote. "The Sheriff's Department remains committed to continuous evaluations of training and tactics to uphold public trust and constitutional standards and we remain dedicated to transparency, accountability, and protecting the rights of the communities we serve.""
A federal jury awarded more than $27 million in damages to Steffon Todd Barber, who now uses a wheelchair after being shot multiple times by a San Bernardino County deputy in 2021. The jury found the deputy used excessive force and was negligent after firing six shots as Barber attempted to reverse his vehicle from a narrow driveway. At least one bullet struck Barber in the head, resulting in permanent brain damage. The sheriff's department cited a district attorney investigation that found the shooting legally justified and noted Barber’s criminal conviction and sentence for assault with a deadly weapon.
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