A man who alleges he was beaten without provocation by members of the team’s security force in 2021 wants the defense barred from telling jurors in the upcoming trial that the team is the two-time reigning world champion.
“Referring to the Dodgers as world champions does not tend, logically, naturally, and by reasonable inference to establish any relevant fact,” an attorney for Salvador and Priscilla Mota states in his court papers filed Tuesday with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Teresa A. Beaudet . “Plaintiffs are concerned that jurors may be Dodger fans and not understand that team loyalty is not an issue in this security assault case.”
The couple also want the defense prohibited from alleging during trial that Salvador Mota was intoxicated at the time unless a hearing is held before any such testimony is offered. The Motas’ attorney states in his court papers that neither plaintiff was drunk and that the only defense evidence is the lay opinions of the guards, including one who claimed to have smelled alcohol in the plaintiffs’ car.
“In the present case, there is no articulable evidence other than the biased testimony of defendant Dodgers’ employees as to Salvador’s and Priscilla’s states of intoxication,” the couple’s attorney states in his court papers.
In their lawsuit filed in April 2022, the Motas said they attended the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 17, 2021. The couple was trying to determine if Priscilla Mota had lost some credit cards and/or her identification from her wallet and were distressed that perhaps they had been lost in the stadium when they were encountered by the guards, who allegedly told Salvador Mota to get out of the car.
“Priscilla watched in horror as sworn and non-sworn security attacked her husband without reason or provocation,” states their suit, which was brought in April 2022.
Salvador Mota was handcuffed and taken to a hospital for severe facial, eye, shoulder and leg injuries, according to their suit, which alleges assault, battery, false imprisonment, violation of civil rights and emotional distress. Trial of the Mota case is scheduled June 17.