Denver Media Cover R&H Police Brutality Lawsuit

Robinson & Henry Personal Injury Partner Jon Topolewski filed a civil rights complaint against a Denver Police officer and the City and County of Denver related to a 2022 incident of excessive use of force. 

Jon told Fox 31 Reporter Josh Short that his client, Nicholas Munden, was trying to check into a Downtown Denver hotel when the incident occurred.

“Mr. Munden had a reservation at the hotel; he arrived to check in. He was waiting to check in, and he was approached by the hotel manager alleging another guest said something about him,” Jon told Fox 31. 

The hotel manager asked Jon’s client to leave. 

“Regardless of whether he should or shouldn’t have left, he wasn’t posing a threat to folks,” Jon told the Denver Post. 

Jon went on to tell Fox 31 that “by all accounts, Mr. Munden was unarmed, he was not threatening anyone physically, and he was not alleged to have physically assaulted or threatened anyone, which makes the use of force in this case totally unjustifiable.” 

Jon told 9 News Reporter Matt Jablow that his client was at first arrested and charged with assaulting the police officer, but the charges were later dropped.

"(Munden) suffered significantly physically and, obviously, the psychological impact of somebody who's supposed to be there protecting people causing you this degree of harm, certainly psychologically has been an issue for him," Topolewski said.

Jon said his client, who lost his job due to the initial arrest and subsequent charges, sustained electrical burns to various parts of his body from the taser and a shoulder injury. Denver Post Interviews Jon In the initial press release to Denver-area journalists, Jon stated, “Mr. Munden’s case is another glaring example of the importance of body-worn cameras to provide the transparency needed to ensure that Officers are accountable for their actions.” 

“Comparing the reports prepared by the officers with the video evidence demonstrates two distinct versions of what occurred. Had the [body-worn camera] footage not been available, it is quite possible that Mr. Munden would currently be in prison for a crime he did not commit and there would be no way of holding Officer Pineda and the Denver Police Department accountable for their abuses – which is exactly what we intend to do.”

Robinson & Henry holds bad police officers accountable. The individuals who are sworn to protect you should not be the ones to harm you. If this has happened to you, let our personal injury attorneys help you. Call 303-688-0944 to begin your case assessment.