It was the case that proved police officers can stand their ground in Florida — but it may not protect them from being sued in federal court.
U.S. District Judge James I. Cohn cleared the way Friday for a civil lawsuit to proceed against Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Peter Peraza, who was cleared of a manslaughter charge in the 2013 death of Jermaine McBean in Oakland Park.
The decision means McBean’s family can continue to seek compensation from Peraza based on a civil claim of excessive use of force. In the same ruling, however, Cohn dismissed the Broward Sheriff’s Office from culpability, finding that the law prohibits holding the agency liable when negligence of the deputy is alleged.
Read more from our news partner at The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
