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Firefighter harassment trial in deadlock
San Diego Pride: harassment charge
Four San Diego firefighters have failed to win a Pride harassment case
"Comments such as "you can put out my fire" were aimed at the firefighters, and other protestors shouted that homosexuality is a sin. "
A mistrial has been declared in the case between San Diego and four firefighters who claim they were sexually harassed at a Pride parade.
The jury announced a deadlock after four days of deliberation. John Ghiotto, Jason Hewitt, Alex Kane and Chad Allison were allegedly subjected to hostile language and sexually explicit acts at the Pride parade last year. Their lawyer Charles Limandri asked for $1 million in compensation.
Comments such as "you can put out my fire" were aimed at the firefighters, and other protestors shouted that homosexuality is a sin.
In a statement Jason Hewitt said:
"I was forced into a situation that would compromise what I hold true and what I believe in."
Chief Deputy City Attorney Maria Severson argued that it was part of the firefighters' jobs to be present at such events and focus on equality as part of a local authority.
She countered that the four men were in actual fact treated like 'rock stars', as opposed to being sexually harassed. She also said that their claim was void as the firefighters had not actually been touched or threatened.
Limandri plans to see a new trial.
