Controversial Shooting by OC Deputy in News Again

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Photo credit Dashboard camera video released by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals shows an Orange County sheriff's deputy shooting and stomping on a suspect in 2013.

(KNX 1070) -- Did an Orange County sheriff’s deputy violate a man’s civil rights when he shot him 18 times back in 2013?  

The case goes to trial Tuesday in Federal Court in Santa Ana.

The court reached its decision in a lawsuit filed by the mother of Connor Zion, 21, who suffered seizures, bit his mother and cut her and his roommate with a kitchen knife, according to the court.

When Deputy Juan Lopez arrived at the condominium complex in Laguna Niguel, Zion ran toward him and stabbed Lopez's arms.

Deputy Michael Higgins, who arrived separately and saw the attack, shot Zion.

Video on the department dashboard cameras revealed that Higgins initially fired nine shots. Once Zion was on the ground, Higgins fired nine more times, emptying his gun.

Video Courtesy: Dashboard camera video released by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals shows an Orange County sheriff's deputy shooting and stomping on a suspect in 2013.

Then Higgins walked in a circle, took a "running start" and stomped on Zion's head three times, the court said the video showed.

The Sheriff's Department later awarded Higgins a medal of valor for the action for saving his partner's life and he has since been promoted to Sergeant.