Williamsburg County, SC – A judge recently approved a $1 million settlement concluding a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from an officer-involved shooting in February 2022 that resulted in the death of 46-year-old Robert Langley.
The incident, which led to the lawsuit, occurred after former Hemingway police officer Cassandra Dollard attempted to pull over Langley, leading to a high-speed pursuit that ended miles outside of her jurisdiction in Georgetown County. After Langley’s vehicle crashed, Dollard reportedly shot and killed him.
Cassandra Dollard, 52, faces charges of voluntary manslaughter in Langley’s death, with the case still ongoing. The circumstances of the altercation and subsequent shooting raised questions about jurisdictional authority and appropriate use of force.
This lawsuit implicated several entities including the town of Hemingway, Williamsburg County, and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, all of whom were named alongside Dollard in the wrongful death claim. Records reveal that Dollard had been previously terminated from two other law enforcement positions over her career, which were detailed in the lawsuit and indicated a history of misconduct.
Langley’s family’s legal action presented claims that Dollard had engaged in various inappropriate behaviors during her tenure as an officer. These included failing to officially report stops, irregular use of police lights, and an instance where Dollard allegedly struck a vehicle occupied by a mother and her child after becoming agitated. The lawsuit also claimed she did not administer aid to Langley following the shooting.
The settlement of $1 million to Langley’s family, sanctioned in November, brings partial closure to the heated debate surrounding his death while also highlighting systemic issues in law enforcement practices related to accountability and officer conduct.
The legal proceedings concluded with the dismissal of the family’s claims “with prejudice,” meaning this particular case cannot be reopened or refiled, solidifying the settlement as the final resolution in the court.
As the case against Dollard continues, many await further developments which might provide additional insights into law enforcement practices and oversight, especially concerning behavior that leads to fatal incidents.
The story of Robert Langley is a grim reminder of the complexities and the often-tragic outcomes involving law enforcement and civilians. It underscores the imperative for stringent law enforcement training and the pressing need for appropriate conduct and accountability in policing practices across the country.
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