Washington, D.C. — A federal jury awarded $500,000 to the widow of a Metropolitan Police officer who took his own life following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The jury found David Walls-Kaufman, a 69-year-old chiropractor, liable for assaulting Officer Jeffrey Smith during the violent uprising that day.
The jury’s decision came after deliberating on the testimonies and evidence presented during the civil trial. They ordered Walls-Kaufman to pay Erin Smith $380,000 in punitive damages and $60,000 in compensatory damages for the assault that took place inside the Capitol. Additionally, the jury granted the same amount to Smith’s estate to account for his pain and suffering prior to his death.
Judge Ana Reyes, who presided over the trial, dismissed Erin Smith’s wrongful-death claim against Walls-Kaufman before deliberations began. She indicated that no reasonable juror could determine that Walls-Kaufman’s actions were directly responsible for causing the trauma leading to Officer Smith’s suicide.
The altercation between Walls-Kaufman and Officer Smith was recorded by the officer’s body camera, highlighting the violence that unfolded during the Capitol riot. Erin Smith’s attorney, David P. Weber, expressed relief at the jury’s verdict, stating it provided a sense of justice for Erin and her late husband.
In contrast, Walls-Kaufman voiced disbelief at the outcome. He maintained that he never struck Officer Smith and argued that the incident was exaggerated. His attorney, Hughie Hunt, described the award as “shocking” and emphasized that the confrontation lasted only a few seconds.
After the verdict, Judge Reyes encouraged both parties to consider a settlement to avoid the complexities of an appeal and to facilitate closure. “You guys settle, you can move on with your lives,” she urged.
Officer Jeffrey Smith, who was reportedly in good health prior to the riot, died by suicide shortly after returning to work for the first time post-attack. His family stated that he had no prior mental health issues. Erin Smith alleges that wounds inflicted by Walls-Kaufman, including a concussion from being hit with his own police baton, contributed to her husband’s emotional and psychological distress.
Walls-Kaufman, who lived near the Capitol, denied that his actions caused any injuries to Officer Smith, asserting that other events that day were responsible for his condition. The police department had previously deemed Smith fit to return to duty before his tragic death.
In 2022, the District of Columbia’s Police and Firefighters’ Retirement and Relief Board ruled that Smith’s injuries stemmed from his duties during the riot and directly resulted in his death.
Walls-Kaufman had been sentenced to 60 days in prison after pleading guilty to a misdemeanour linked to the Capitol riot but was later pardoned. During his first day back in office, President Donald Trump granted clemency to numerous individuals charged in connection with the attack.
The Jan. 6 riot was marked by violence, resulting in injuries to over 100 law enforcement officers. The tragic events also included the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who collapsed the day following the riot and was later found to have died of natural causes. Additionally, Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood took his own life after responding to the chaos of the day.
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