LA To Pay $2.5M To Family Of Woman Kicked, Shoved While In Police Custody

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to pay $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit with the children of a woman who was kicked in the crotch by a Los Angeles police officer and later died.

The settlement approved Wednesday comes more than three years after Officer Mary O'Callaghan hit and kicked Alesia Thomas as she was shoved, handcuffed, into the back of a squad car in South Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Thomas' arrest was captured by cameras in two patrol cars, and the images played a key role in O'Callaghan's conviction for assault under the color of authority.

The 228-pound Thomas had resisted arrest following a report she had abandoned her children by dropping them off at a police station, according to a report by the Police Commission. An autopsy found Thomas had cocaine in her system, but the cause of death was listed as undetermined because the struggle couldn't be excluded as a contributing factor.

The video captured by patrol car cameras showed the veteran officer jab at Thomas' throat with an open hand and threaten to break her arms and kick her in the crotch. O'Callaghan is also seen raising her boot and striking Thomas, whose body shakes in response. Thomas at one point asked officers for an ambulance -- more than 30 minutes before one was called.

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