Pasadena : Zinzun Reports Released

Bowing to pressure from several community groups, the city has made available to the public police reports, memos and other documents concerning the violent confrontation between police officers and three residents, including activist Michael Zinzun, at the Community Arms housing complex in Pasadena in June, 1986.

But a confidential report to the city attorney and the police chief by attorney Edwin J. Wilson, who investigated officers’ actions independently of the Police Department’s own internal investigations division, was not released. The city Board of Directors, which has not seen that report, is scheduled to meet with Wilson on Aug. 31 to discuss it.

Police officers Christopher Vicino and James Ballestero have been charged with a misdemeanor count of unnecessarily beating Stevie Eugene Rivers. Zinzun, Rivers and Frank Anthony Taylor have been charged with misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest. Zinzun and Rivers are also charged with a misdemeanor count of striking a police officer.