LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelly Soo Park, found not guilty in 2013 of the 2008 murder of 21 year old aspiring model Juliana Redding, has filed a complaint against Santa Monica Police Department Detective Karen Thompson and Does 1-10. The complaint stems from Ms. Thompson's activities investigating this case and subsequent to Ms. Park's arrest.  The complaint for damages includes Deprivation of Civil Rights, including Violation of Compulsory Process and the Right to a Fair Trial; Joint Action and Conspiracy to Interfere with Civil Rights; and Declaratory Relief with a demand for a jury trial.  Specifically, the complaint alleges, amongst other things, that Detective Thompson intimidated a key defense witness for Ms. Park from testifying on Ms. Park's behalf. This witness was dating Redding's former boyfriend, who allegedly choked his new girlfriend on several occasions. She was going to testify that the boyfriend stated, "You want to see how she [Juliana] felt?" while choking her.

Ms. Park's attorney, Ron Kaye, states: "After receiving a medal of merit from the Santa Monica Police Department for "solving" this murder – over a year before the trial – Detective Thompson did whatever she could – violated the Constitution – to prevent this critical witness from testifying on behalf of Ms. Park.  A jury acquitted Ms. Park of all charges based on the lack of evidence against her, but her reputation and business continue to suffer. Detective Thompson deliberately interfered with Ms. Park's right to a fair trial, and the world can now know what was hidden from the jury's view."

Ms. Park's trial, referred to as a "Hollywood whodunit," garnered wide media attention because "these were two beautiful women who had never been in trouble before," according to some journalists. A recent "48 Hours" feature story has perpetuated the interest in this case despite its closure last June.

Damages include those to Ms. Park's reputation, income and the impact it has had on the lauded career of her husband, a now retired police commander in the Oxnard, California Police Department.

Media contact:  Jo-Ann Geffen, JAG PR, (818) 905-5511 or [email protected]

The complaint is available for your perusal and Ron Kaye, attorney for Ms. Park, is available for comment.

SOURCE Kaye, McLane, Bednarski & Litt, LLP