LOS ANGELES : Family of Woman Slain by Officers Seeks $20 Million

The family of Sonji Danese Taylor, who was shot and killed by Los Angeles police officers last year, filed a $20-million claim against the city Thursday, alleging that officers used excessive force against her and then conspired to cover up their actions.

“At no time during the course of these events did Sonji Taylor pose a threat to . . . police officers, nor did she do anything to justify the force used against her,” according to the claim, the first step toward filing suit against the city.

Police say they found Taylor on the roof of St. Vincent’s Medical Center on the evening of Dec. 16, as she was holding a knife to her son and ranting incoherently. Police said she lunged at one officer with the knife and was shot 10 times, seven times in the back.

Officer Craig Liedahl and Sgt. Michael Long fired the shots, and both are named in the claim. The case is under investigation by the Police Department, the FBI and the county district attorney’s office. A grand jury has heard testimony in the case, but no charges have been filed. Department officials declined comment Thursday.