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Officer Sicknick’s girlfriend sues Trump, two others over assault and death following Jan. 6 protest

January 6, 2023 | | Print Article

Sandra Garza, Brian Sicknick’s longtime girlfriend, is suing former President Trump and two protesters charged with assaulting the late Capitol police officer on Jan. 6, 2021, followed by his death after he suffered two strokes, dying from natural causes.

(Video Credit: WUSA9)

Garza argued in Thursday’s court filing that Trump, Julian Khater, and George Tanios, are “directly and vicariously liable” for Sicknick’s death, according to The Hill. The suit was filed one day before the two-year anniversary of the riot on Capitol Hill.

“As Officer Sicknick and hundreds of others—including other police officers, elected officials, and rank-and-file workers at the Capitol—were put in mortal danger, and as the seat of American Democracy was desecrated by the insurgent mob, Defendant Trump watched the events unfold on live television from the safety of the White House,” attorneys for Sicknick’s estate and Garza wrote in the complaint according to CNN. “The horrific events of January 6, 2021, including Officer Sicknick’s tragic, wrongful death, were a direct and foreseeable consequence of the Defendants’ unlawful actions.”

“As a direct result of the attack by Defendants Khater and Tanios and others — which Defendant Trump instigated — Officer Sicknick suffered physical injuries,” the lawsuit charges. “The following day, on January 7, 2021, Officer Sicknick tragically died.”

“All that transpired on January 6th — including the actions taken by Defendants Trump, Khater, and Tanios — played a significant role in the medical condition that led to Officer Sicknick’s death the following day,” the suit contends.

In September, Khater pleaded guilty to assaulting Sicknick and two other police officers with chemical spray during the riot. Tanios allegedly handed the chemical spray to Khater. He cut a deal in July related to the protest pleading guilty to two misdemeanors. Both men are still awaiting sentencing.

A coroner ruled that Sicknick died from natural causes after suffering two strokes the day after the riot. In what appears to be an incredible reach, the lawsuit filed by Garza is seeking $30 million in damages from Trump and the two rioters, alleging wrongful death. She wants $10 million from each of them. Garza is citing comments from the medical examiner that “all that transpired” on Jan. 6 “played a role in his condition.”

“Defendant Trump intentionally riled up the crowd and directed and encouraged a mob to attack the U.S. Capitol and attack those who opposed them,” Garza’s attorneys wrote in the suit. It also alleges Trump and the two men are responsible for what followed that day, according to NBC News.

“The violence that followed, and the injuries that violence caused, including the injuries sustained by Officer Sicknick and his eventual death, were reasonable and foreseeable consequences of Defendant Trump’s words and conduct,” the attorneys stated.

The lawsuit claims that Trump’s supporters understood and answered his call for them to show up on Jan. 6, citing his purported statement, “Be there, will be wild!” as a call to violence.

Garza is also accusing Trump and the two protesters of engaging in a conspiracy to block the official certification of the 2020 election, assault or aiding and abetting assault, and rioting or inciting a riot.

Trump has not been criminally charged for the events that day and has denied inciting violence. Just as the Jan. 6 inquisition findings and recommendations appear to be for show, many feel this lawsuit also looks to be specious in nature.

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