Former All-Star Major League baseball outfielder Lenny Dykstra dropped his lawsuit in which he alleged that in 2012 he was beaten by deputies in the Men’s Central Jail and again later at a hospital.
Lawyers in the case told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel Murphy on Dec. 1 that a request for dismissal was filed the day before. Murphy then dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning Dykstra can bring the case again later if circumstances warrant him doing so.
Citing immunity, the judge ruled Oct. 21 that Dykstra could not move forward with the part of his case against Los Angeles County. Murphy also tossed allegations against a sheriff’s sergeant, leaving one deputy as the remaining defendant in the case.
Dykstra alleged that on April 5, 2012, deputies at the jail entered his cell and assaulted him for no legitimate reasons. He claimed they slammed his head against a wall, that some of his teeth were knocked out and he that he was left barely breathing.
The suit alleges the jail system was “fueled by abusive violence.” Defense attorneys maintained in their court papers that Dykstra became combative.
Dykstra also alleged he was beaten again later at Garfield Medical Center in Monterey Park, where he was treated for injuries from the jail incident. Dykstra said deputies at the hospital punched him in the face at least twice, causing him to lose at minimum one tooth.
The alleged beatings took place the same month Dykstra pleaded no contest to exposing himself to women he met on Craigslist. He was already serving time for grand theft auto and providing a false financial statement, and would later be sentenced to six months for bankruptcy fraud.
Dykstra was released in June 2013 and filed suit the following April.
Dykstra played for the New York Mets from 1985-89 and Philadelphia Phillies from 1989-96. He was selected to play in the 1990, 1994 and 1995 All- Star Games.
Dykstra, 53, was nicknamed “Nails” for his hard-nosed demeanor. He was born in Santa Ana and raised in Garden Grove.
—City News Service