In the News
Criminal Case Dismissed and Civil Rights Action with a Multi-Million Dollar Verdict
During his early career as a criminal defense lawyer, Ed Madrid and three (3) other defense lawyers defended 4 individuals who were wrongfully accused of child molestation. This case along with the infamous McMartin Case were the two leading cases that started a pandemic of child molestation paranoia and pseudo satanic rituals in public, private and day care schools, retreats and neighborhoods across the United States. The media was relentless. Many individuals were falsely arrested, incarcerated and wrongfully prosecuted, including the entire McMartin/Buckey family, the O’Keefe family and Ed’s clients, the Valentin/Malave family.
After putting on an affirmative defense at a six (6) week preliminary hearing, the criminal case was dismissed.
Ed and his colleagues filed a civil rights action against the County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, deputies and accusers. After prevailing in the 1st trial, the County appealed and the case was remanded for a retrial. At the 2nd trial, the verdict was doubled. The case was appealed and remanded for a retrial only on damages. At the start of the 3rd trial, the Court made some unfavorable rulings on the measure of damages. A writ was filed by both sides. The trial was halted. Both Writs of Mandate were granted and set for a hearing. The case resulted in a published opinion. County of Los Angeles, v. Superior Court (2000) 78 Cal.App.4th. 212. This case established the correct measure of damages in a civil rights case filed in state court.
The case was remanded for trial number 4. As jury selection commenced, the County made a multi-million dollar offer, which our clients accepted. The other two plaintiffs proceeded to trial and received multi-million dollar verdicts. Their award was reduced and the case was finally settled.
From start to finish, Ed litigated this case for 17 years. The following article, “And Now The Revenge,” was published by the California Lawyer Magazine in 1990 after the 1st trial. Click HERE to view the Article.