Smiley Martin, Suspect in Deadly Sacramento Shooting, Previously Agreed to Be Paid Thousands in County Settlement

Weeks before Smiley Martin was accused of being one of five gunmen in Sacramento’s worst mass shooting, the county agreed to pay him a $7,500 settlement.

Smiley Martin

“It’s really difficult to sue, and to prevail is just as difficult,” Sacramento Attorney Mark Reichel said. “The laws are kind of slanted toward the correctional officers.”

In a handwritten lawsuit, Martin claimed in 2018 that a jail guard was responsible for rival gang members attacking him. He claims the guard allowed rival gang members to interact with one another which resulted in Martin being surrounded by inmates who attacked him.

In the lawsuit, he writes, “I had hot water thrown on me and second degree burns.” He went on to say, “I was hurt and feel he left me in a dangerous predicament.”

Martin represented himself in the lawsuit {snip}

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In a statement to CBS13, a county spokesperson explained the reason behind Martin’s settlement, saying:

“The county’s decision to settle was purely economic, as the trial date was approaching and it was likely the trial would be pushed out for many months given the court calendar backup due to COVID. A decision was made to put an end to the case, as the costs going forward would multiply.”

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