ACLU to ask for review of police actions during Reno riot

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 1998 | 10:24 a.m.

Richard Siegel, a political science professor and ACLU vice president, said the group will ask the Reno City Council and Washoe County Commission to form a panel to review how police handled the disturbances that resulted in more than 100 arrests.

If local officials decline, the ACLU will conduct is own investigation, Siegel said.

Reno Mayor Jeff Griffin said he has already asked for a review of every arrest and that people who had injuries would be contacted.

Griffin added that he believes the ACLU has jumped to some "very, very large conclusions" before the facts are gathered.

Police blamed alcohol and youth gangs for the melees that broke out Saturday night after sanctioned events of the city's annual tribute to classic cars and the '50s and '60s ended.

Among those arrested were two news photographers for the Reno Gazette-Journal, who claim police roughed them up when they attempted to take pictures of officers beating and throwing suspects to the ground.

A San Francisco writer also says he was beaten and arrested when he showed officers his press pass and asked for assistance in locating his two daughters.

William Yenne, 48, filed an internal affairs complaint with the Reno Police Department on Monday.

"Police were out of control," Yenne said. "The cop who stepped on my head had murder in his eyes."

Yenne said officers shoved him to the ground, kicked him in the back and ground his face into the pavement.

He was arrested and charged with refusing to disperse.

After his release from jail, he said he went to Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center where he was treated for abrasions on his face and head and a sprained wrist.