Shooting Victim’s Family, Anaheim Settle Civil Suit

SANTA ANA —  On the verge of a mistrial in Superior Court, the city of Anaheim has agreed to pay at least $100,000 to the family of a Brea man fatally shot by an Anaheim police officer.

The settlement, which must be approved by the Anaheim City Council, was reached Friday when it was learned that jurors in the case had disregarded a judge’s order and read recent newspaper accounts of the proceedings.

Attorney Robert Launders declined Saturday to disclose the specific amount of the settlement, which is expected to end a nearly four-year journey through the legal system by clients Colleen and Gary Rosenberger on behalf of their late son, Gregory.

Gregory Rosenberger, 25, was shot to death in October, 1989, by an Anaheim officer. The officer was trying to subdue Rosenberger, who was being pursued as a suspect on drug-related charges.

The Rosenbergers’ civil court action followed a review of the case by the Orange County district attorney’s office, which cleared the officer of any wrongdoing in the shooting.

On Friday, as the civil trial entered its fourth day, Launders said the court learned that jurors had read news accounts detailing the officer’s involvement in prior shootings after the judge had decided that the information about the earlier incidents should be kept from the jury.

“The judge had admonished them not to read the news accounts,” Launders said, “but stuff happens.”

With the jury on the verge of disqualification, Launders said his clients agreed to accept the terms of an offer made Tuesday during jury selection in the case.

“I think it ended up so that all parties were hopefully satisfied with the outcome.” Rosenberger’s parents “began this venture to make certain that their son did not die in vain.”

Anaheim officials could not be reached for comment Saturday.