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Long Beach, CA – A California state court jury commenced hearings on Monday in a wrongful death lawsuit alleging that a casino’s private security staff suffocated a patron during a restraint incident. The trial is being webcast live and recorded by Courtroom View Network (CVN).
The family of Jonathan Jung filed suit against Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens following an incident where security allegedly held Jung face-down on asphalt while hogtied, with a security guard’s knee on his back.
The casino argues that Jung’s death was due to methamphetamine use and erratic behavior, claiming he posed a danger. However, his attorneys contend he was in a mental health crisis and that security used excessive force unnecessarily.
During opening statements, plaintiff attorneys Terrance Jones and Minh Nguyen detailed that Jung, while at a baccarat table, began hearing voices and talking to himself, leading to casino staff instructing him to leave.
Allegedly leaving $3,800 behind, Jung headed to the parking lot, expressing a desire to leave. The defense claims he attempted to evade security. His attorneys emphasized his death shortly after being restrained.
Jung’s attorneys stressed that the force used was excessive for an unarmed individual already restrained, asking jurors to consider awarding $132 million, symbolizing $1 million for each second he was allegedly suffocated.
Representing the defense, attorney Joshua Bordin-Wosk rejected claims Jung was hogtied and denied he ever stated he couldn’t breathe during restraint.
Bordin-Wosk urged jurors to focus on testimony from guards and autopsy reports rather than on sympathy or dramatic elements.
The trial before Judge Patrick Madden is expected to continue until July 1. CVN will provide live and on-demand coverage throughout the proceedings.
