Sacramento jury returns verdict against county sheriff supervisor for retaliation

On June 24, 2005, a federal jury of seven women and four men returned a unanimous verdict in favor of Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Detective Elaine Stevenson.

The jury found that Craig Hill, Detective Stevenson’s Sergeant in the Homicide Bureau for only two years, retaliated against her for testifying that Hill illegally coerced a confession.

Detective Stevenson sued Sergeant Hill, Undersheriff John McGinness, and the County of Sacramento for gender discrimination and retaliation in 2003. The jury awarded Detective Stevenson $95,000 in economic and non-economic damages and found Hill liable for punitive damages.

Despite extensive testimony by Stevenson about how she was treated differently than her male colleagues, the jury did not find gender discrimination. Undersheriff John McGinness was not held liable, although the jury found that McGinness’ actions caused harm or injury to Stevenson.

Stevenson is a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department with a stellar record of service. Despite two decades of positive performance evaluations, awards, and other commendations, she was transferred out of the prestigious Homicide Bureau into an entry-level detective position where she could no longer investigate any crimes.

Detective Stevenson and her former partner, David Wright had an astounding 88% solve rate for their homicide cases.

Detective Stevenson Is Represented by Oakland Attorney Pamela Y. Price of Price And Associates. Attorney Price said that Detective Stevenson is thankful for the vindication of this verdict and deeply appreciates the support of her family and friends.