Mary Klein, a woman who was attacked and sexually assaulted along the Venice canals, has filed a claim with the city of Los Angeles asking for $5 million in damages for her suffering.
The 55-year-old healthcare professional, mother and grandmother was walking near her home on April 6 when a stranger severely beat and raped her, knocking out her teeth in the attack.
Another victim on the same evening, Sarah Alden, did not survive her beating and sexual assault.
The suspect, 30-year-old Anthony Francisco Jones, pleaded no contest in the case and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Klein has come a long way in her recovery since the attack, and now she wants to speak out about crime and punishment in California.
“I’m doing so much better and as a matter of fact, I’m getting a little spicier, which is why you’re seeing me out here right now protesting,” Klein told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe on Friday. “And I’m not going to keep quiet until I see some changes in the city.”
Klein says government leaders did not do enough to protect her and the general public in terms of funding for proper police protection and patrols in a dangerous area.
“The government has not allowed enough police to be on the streets of L.A. to keep us safe, and has not funded the police in the past,” said Klein. “You can’t even go to the grocery store without having someone try to harass you or intimidate you.”
The survivor told KTLA on Friday she served the city with a claim for damages and losses totaling $5 million.
“Well, because I have a 5-inch-long blood clot in the back of my neck,” explained Klein. “I’m constantly at risk for a stroke or aneurysm.”
She will await the city’s response. In the meantime, she plans to make her voice heard and continue demonstrating until she sees significant change.
“We need to support our police,” said Klein. “We need police visibility and we need community safety projects put into place. We need to re-fund our police and stop being soft on crime.”