Detroit, Michigan – A federal jury in Detroit has awarded $1.5 million to the family of a Black man who was killed by the city’s police. The jury found that two officers, Tyler Nagy and Raul Martinez, had used excessive force in their response to a report of an armed and intoxicated person in October of 2018. The officers approached Lamont Johnson, shining a flashlight in his eyes and shouting at him to put his hands up. Less than three seconds later, both officers opened fire on Johnson, who was found to have a handgun in his waistband.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Johnson’s family, argued that there was not enough time for Johnson, who was 44 years old, to reach for his gun. The family’s attorney, Mark E. Boegehold, stated that a reasonable police officer would not have shot Johnson, as there was no observed movement from him, and the time frame of 2.5 seconds was insufficient for him to grab his weapon. The jury agreed with this argument.
The U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan delivered the verdict on March 15, awarding the family $1.5 million in damages. The breakdown of the award includes $4,800 for funeral expenses, $100,000 for conscious pain and suffering, $420,000 for lost wages, $86,000 for medical expenses, and $900,000 for past and future loss of society and companionship.
Despite the jury’s decision, both officers involved in the shooting remain employed by the Detroit Police Department (DPD). The department stated that the officers had acted within department policy and that an internal investigation revealed no policy violations. The DPD expressed disagreement with the verdict, confirming their intention to appeal the decision.
Nagy and Martinez had been praised by the Detroit Police Officers Association in May 2019 for their actions in this case, described as “heroic” for preventing harm to others. However, the body camera footage presented in the lawsuit does not support the officers’ claims that Johnson had raised his weapon.
This case adds to a growing trend of police misconduct lawsuits resulting in significant financial costs to taxpayers. Cities across the country face numerous lawsuits related to police misconduct each year, with settlements generally funded by taxpayers. Due to qualified immunity, which shields police officers from criminal prosecution, lawsuits are often the only recourse for individuals alleging misconduct.
“It seems almost as if it’s a cost of doing business in some jurisdictions,” said Anne Houghtaling, senior deputy director of strategic initiatives at the Legal Defense Fund.
The outcome of this case highlights the ongoing struggle to hold police accountable for excessive use of force, as well as the financial burden borne by taxpayers as a result of such misconduct.