Giovanni Ramirez Exonerated in Bryan Stow Beating
Is Giovanni Ramirez innocent?
According to an announcement made by the Los Angeles Police Department, Ramirez has been exonerated of all accusations that he had a hand in the March 31 beating of Giants fan Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium.
A reassignment to the Robbery-Homicide Division appears to have provided the department with a much-needed reevaluation of the evidence, which has also led to the arrest of two new suspects.
Though Giovanni Ramirez has been in prison since his May arrest, the Los Angeles Times reports that he was never charged in the Bryan Stow beating.
Despite a thorough search of phone records, surveillance footage, and financial records, police were unable to link him to the crime, opting to return him to jail on a parole violation while they continued his investigation.
Also recall that his daughter, along with other family members, has insisted that he was home with her at the time of the attack, with lawyers indicating that a dozen people could testify to this assertion.
One other piece of key evidence also indicates that Giovanni Ramirez is innocent:
Witnesses reported that the assailants were bald, but according to the Los Angeles Times, Ramirez had a full head of hair at the time.
If you're wondering whether Giovanni Ramirez can now sue the LAPD for falsely accusing him of attempted murder, the answer is likely a no.
Though some evidence was a bit off, it appears as though the police acted in good faith and did their jobs properly, continuing to investigate the case. Because they did not act outside the scope of their employment, they are likely entitled to governmental immunity.
Even without immunity, in light of the fact police have deemed Giovanni Ramirez innocent, his attorneys have indicated that his client has no intention of taking legal action.
Related Resources:
- New arrests in Stow beating may exonerate original suspect (Yahoo Sports)
- Giovanni Ramirez's Alibi: Was With His Daughter, 10 (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)
- Giovanni Ramirez Arrested in Bryan Stow Beating (FindLaw Blotter)