Family Battles to Reinstate Bicycle Casino Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Relatives of Jonathan Jung, a Korean American who passed away in a tragic incident at The Bicycle Casino in California, continue their relentless pursuit of justice years after his death. On July 4, 2021, Jung was enjoying a game of baccarat at the casino when he experienced a severe mental health crisis related to his schizoaffective disorder, leading to erratic behavior and hallucinations. Surveillance footage captured the moments when Jung, 45, began wandering near the baccarat table, prompting casino security guards to intervene. Despite his compliance in leaving the casino without causing any harm, the situation escalated tragically in the parking lot.

In the casino’s parking area, Jung’s confusion led him to attempt entry into a vehicle, ultimately resulting in a chase by five security officers. When cornered, he was tackled to the ground where, according to his family’s defense, one of the security guards allegedly pressed a knee into his back. Although initially struggling, Jung did not resist once restrained, yet he succumbed mere minutes after the encounter. While the coroner’s report cited methamphetamine intoxication as the cause of death, Jung’s family contends that this autopsy was flawed. They argued that essential information from the scene was omitted, including

The family’s legal representative, Terrence Jones, has been vocal about the alleged inaccuracies in the official autopsy report. To strengthen their case, Jung’s relatives engaged a team of experts, including a forensic pathologist, toxicologist, and pulmonologist, whose findings contradicted the initial conclusions. They asserted that, while methamphetamine was indeed found in Jung’s system, it was not the primary cause of his death. Instead, they posited positional asphyxia as the critical factor leading to his demise, challenging the narrative put forth by the casino’s spokespersons and initial autopsy results.

Despite these efforts, the path to justice has been fraught with obstacles. The wrongful death trial, which commenced last summer, witnessed an unexpected turn when a judge ruled out discussions of Jung’s past drug use. This decision reversed a previous ruling and, according to the family’s defense, significantly influenced the jury’s deliberations. While the jury recognized the negligence by the casino guards, they ultimately did not attribute it as the cause of Jung’s death. The outcome has left the family’s call for accountability unaddressed, leading them to file an appeal. As they await further legal proceedings, the memory of Jonathan Jung continues to fuel their endeavor for judicial rectitude