NAACP Backs Suit by Man Who Says Deputies Beat Him

The Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP pledged its support Wednesday for a Lawndale man who has filed a complaint with the Sheriff’s Department alleging that he was the victim of an unprovoked beating by deputies.

Keith W. Krause, an engineer for Hughes Aircraft Co., said at a news conference at the NAACP office Wednesday that he was attacked by as many as eight officers Friday evening when he refused his estranged wife access to his house.

Krause, speaking with bandages on the side of his face and blood clot marks in both eyes, said he was standing outside his home waving a deed showing he was the sole owner of the house when he was rushed, hit with night sticks, thrown to the ground and kicked by sheriff’s deputies.

NAACP Lawyers to File Suit

NAACP President Anthony Essex said NAACP lawyers will file a lawsuit against the county within 30 days seeking damages for injuries, property loss and damage to reputation suffered by Krause in the altercation outside his home.

Sheriff’s officials, however, denied Krause’s claims that he did not provoke police and that as many as eight officers were involved in the alleged beating.

Lennox substation Capt. Walter Lanier said two deputies escorted Krause’s wife, Debbie, to the home on Avis Avenue about 7:45 p.m. Friday so she could collect some personal papers. Krause assumed a karate stance, Lanier said, and flew at the two officers, who then attempted to subdue him.

Krause--who was jailed for several hours until $3,000 bail was posted--was charged with assaulting a peace officer, Lanier said, a charge NAACP officials vow they will fight to have dismissed.

“The fight was over by the time the other officers arrived. He was handcuffed and put into a car. It is my understanding that he received most of the injuries when he and an officer he was wrestling fell to the ground,� Lanier said, adding that no more than a total of four to six officers responded to the scene.

The complaint will be investigated by the sheriff’s Internal Affairs Division, Lanier said.