St. Paul, MN – The mother of Cordale Handy, a man fatally shot by St. Paul police officers in 2017, was awarded $3.25 million by a federal jury on Monday. The decision marks the second verdict in a protracted legal battle, underscoring ongoing tensions over police use of force and the value of human life in wrongful death cases.
Kim Handy Jones, who pursued the civil lawsuit after the slashing of a prior $10 million award to $2.5 million, obtained $3.25 million in compensatory damages in this latest trial before Judge John Tunheim. The jury did not reconsider the earlier findings, which included $1.5 million in punitive damages against St. Paul Police Officer Nathaniel Younce, found to be civilly liable for the death of her son. Officer Mikko Norman was not found liable.
The initial trial in 2023 set a different tone when jurors awarded Handy Jones $10 million in compensatory damages alongside punitive damages, acknowledging the tragic loss of her son. However, the significant reduction of the compensatory award by Judge David Doty underscored judicial discretion in these civil cases. Doty cited a lack of “quantifiable monetary loss” as a leading factor in the cut, noting Handy’s non-financial contributions to his family as being profound yet not economically quantifiable.
The contentious outcome of these legal proceedings reflects not just a grieving family’s quest for justice but also a spotlight on the criteria and challenges in valuing a life lost. In 2017, Cordale Handy was shot after allegedly pointing a gun at police officers during a disturbance where he fired shots inside his apartment. An autopsy report later revealed the presence of N-Ethylpentylone, known as “bath salts,” in his system, which might have contributed to erratic behavior.
This incident occurred during a period just before the implementation of body cameras by the St. Paul Police Department, limiting the clarity of the events leading to Handy’s death. Handy Jones has contended in her lawsuit that confusing commands by the officers exacerbated the fatal encounter.
Looking forward, Paul Bosman, an attorney for Handy Jones, conveyed that the award is a step toward closure but not the end of their pursuit for justice. Bosman hinted at potential further actions, including challenging the initial reduction of the compensatory damages.
As the community and legal observers watch closely, this case contributes to the broader dialogue about police accountability and the mechanisms of civil redress in incidents involving law enforcement. Each verdict not only narrates a personal story of loss and legal recourse but also influences the societal standards surrounding police conduct and the repercussions following their actions.
The determination of this case and its multiple facets illustrate the complex interplay of drug influence, mental health considerations, and police response strategies that continue to challenge communities across the nation.
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