The City of Inglewood has answered the lawsuit filed by Brian Statler’s family, and in predictably generic language denies that its police officers did anything wrong when they ventilated the 30-year-old mixed race man on March 27, 2019 at the Church of Scientology’s Inglewood “Ideal Org.”
Since that tragic incident we’ve been trying to get answers about Statler and the police, and readers know that it’s been very slow going — the city never released more information than Statler’s name and age, and most of what we know came from reports at the scene, none of which has been very well confirmed. According to those reports, Statler had arrived in a new white Bentley and was wielding a “samurai sword” at the org. Police were called, some kind of confrontation occurred, and Statler was shot dead. Bizarrely, the city initially said that Statler “opened fire” on the officers, who were each injured, but the police department has never explained how a man armed with a sword could “open fire” and shoot the officers who killed him. (We suspect the officers may have injured each other with crossfire, which is why the city is so reluctant to discuss the case publicly.)
The federal civil rights and excessive force lawsuit was filed by Statler’s parents, Missouri resident Brian Statler Sr. and Pennsylvania resident Stacey Meadors, and was recently joined by Statler’s unnamed 3-year-old daughter, who is being represented by her mother, Decery Capponi, who works for the Church of Scientology and has worked as a receptionist at the Inglewood org.
We still have a lot of questions about this incident, and the new legal response from the City of Inglewood doesn’t really answer those questions. It’s a boilerplate affair, admitting to some facts stated in the amended complaint, but denying liability.
The force used on Decedent was reasonable under the circumstances and…any injury or damages allegedly suffered by Decedent were due to or caused by reason of Decedent’s own acts and conduct.
AdvertisementDecedent knew or should have known he was being detained/arrested by a peace officer and had a duty to refrain from using force to resist such detention/arrest.
So the City continues to deny that it did anything wrong while giving out no information about what actually happened. We will keep looking for more answers.
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Bonus items from our tipsters
More evidence that it’s still business as usual at Scientology’s “Advanced Orgs,” the ones that charge the highest prices for Scientology’s upper-level voodoo…
Not to be outdone by the Decon Seven Sanitation Team in South Africa, the London Org gets its VMs in action!
“The road into this universe is successive unawarenesses. And the road out is successive awarenesses. But not just bare-breasting your chest to the whole universe. No, you have to find out why the individual didn’t want to be aware at those points, and he didn’t want to be aware because he solved it. Well, what’s this solution? Well, that was yesterday’s problem. Yesterday’s solution, problem, solution, problem, solution — they’re all the same line of cat. He got himself into trouble by solving himself into trouble. And when he has solved himself all the way into trouble totally, he’s here, and he’s the fireman down in the stokehold. And therefore there are no lower levels of subconscious for you to explore; there are only upper levels of awareness.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 21, 1964
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“Our task is to somehow transform social perception of Scientology. This in the face of a sea of: bad press, entrenched current and former Scientologists, fake news, a general and worldwide disparagement of religion, and a fleet of so called Ideal Orgs which will (probably soon) be embroiled in a maelstrom of bankruptcies. Empty buildings cannot sit that way for long. It is contrary to the laws of exchange, among other things. That will bring more ‘news,’ this time of the ‘demise of Scientology.’ Which is good. It is a law of this universe that death always preceeds the resurgence of life.”
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“Most people have never heard of the guy who invented the mouse. But a lot of them have heard of L Ron Hubbard. This is why I drink.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Jay Spina: Sentencing was set for April 3 in White Plains
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members: Trial set for October 7 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Waiting for an appellate decision from the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Hearing on motion for reconsideration set for June 17
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: May 1 (Masterson new demurrer due), July 8 (plaintiff attorneys pro hac vice), August 31-Sept 1 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe’s attorneys have asked for discovery, depositions (Warren McShane, Lynn Farny), amended complaint filed
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Oral arguments were heard on March 11 in Jacksonville
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Amended complaint filed.
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Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society!
Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in our weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology’s mad real estate splurge has real consequences for its indentured workers
[TWO years ago] Hana Whitfield’s book excerpt: L. Ron Hubbard’s amidships meltdown over ‘Xemu’ and OT 3
[THREE years ago] Bunker reader Dee Findlay stole the show as Clearwater stood up to Scientology last night
[FOUR years ago] How Lisa Marie Presley became Scientology leader David Miscavige’s worst nightmare
[FIVE years ago] Marc Headley reveals the embarrassing technological secrets of Scientology
[SIX years ago] Convicted of fraud by France’s highest court, Scientology still pursues creative appeals
[SEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: The United States of Scientology
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,914 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,418 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,938 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 958 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 849 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,156 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,024 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,798 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,572 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,918 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,484 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,403 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,571 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,152 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,413 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,451 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,164 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,689 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,219 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,779 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,919 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,239 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,094 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,214 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,569 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,872 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,978 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,380 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,252 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,835 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,330 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,584 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,693 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 21, 2020 at 07:00
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Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
