Paul A. Bonacci, Plaintiff 4:CV91-3037
vs
Lawrence E. King, Defendant Memorandum of Decision
Filed February 22, 1999

On February 27, 1998, I found that default judgment should be entered against the defendant Lawrence E. King in favor of the plaintiff, Paul A. Bonacci. A trial on the issue of the damages due the plaintiff by that defendant was had on February 5, 1999.

The now uncontradicted evidence is that the plaintiff has suffered much. He has suffered burns, broken fingers, beating of the head and face and other indignities by the wrongful actions of the defendant King. In addition to the misery of going through the experiences just related over a period of eight years, the plaintiff has suffered the lingering results to the present time. He is a victim of multiple personality disorder, involving as many as fourteen distinct personalities aside from his primary personality. He has given up a desired military career and received threats on his life. He suffers from sleeplessness, has bad dreams, has difficulty in holding a job, is fearful that others are following him, fears getting killed, has depressing flashbacks, and is verbally violent on occasion, all in connection with the multiple personality disorder and caused by the wrongful activities of the defendant King.

Almost certainly the defendant King has little remaining financial resources, but a fair judgment to compensate the plaintiff is necessary. For the sixteen years since the abuse of the plaintiff began I conclude that a fair compensation for the damages he has suffered is $800,000. A punitive damage award also is justified, but the amount needs to be limited because of the small effect that such a judgment would have on the defendant King, given his financial condition and presence in prison. I deem the punitive damage award of $200,000 to be adequate.

Dated February 19, 1999.
By the Court
/s/Warren Urborn
United States Senior District Judge