Award

Judge Reduces $11.5 Million Award to Mother of Man Killed by St. Paul Police: Battle for Justice Continues

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St. Paul, Minnesota – A judge has significantly reduced the $11.5 million judgment awarded to the mother of Cordale Handy, who was killed by St. Paul police in 2017. In a recent decision, Judge David Doty revised the compensatory damages to $2.5 million, down from the original $10 million. This follows a federal jury’s finding of St. Paul Police officer Nathaniel Younce’s civil liability for the shooting death of 29-year-old Handy and its award of $1.5 million in punitive damages to Handy’s mother, Kim Handy Jones. The jury declined to hold another officer, Mikko Norman, … Read more

Judge Reduces St. Paul’s Record Jury Award in Excessive Force Case, Cuts $10 Million to $2.5 Million

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Minneapolis, MN – A federal judge has reduced the record jury award given to the family of Cordale Handy, a man fatally shot by St. Paul police in 2017. The award, initially set at $10 million in compensatory damages, has been decreased to $2.5 million after the city of St. Paul appealed the decision. U.S. District Judge David Doty described the original award as “patently excessive” and argued that it did not align with the limited evidence presented during the trial. Handy, who was under the influence of bath salts at the time of the … Read more

Farming While Black Wins Best of the Festival and John de Graaf Environmental Award: A Powerful Film of Environmental Activism and Hope

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Nevada City, California – The 2024 Wild and Scenic Film Festival recently awarded top honors to several outstanding films. One of the most notable winners was “Farming While Black,” which received both the Best of the Festival award and the John de Graaf Environmental Award. This film stood out for its powerful combination of environmental activism, a compelling storyline, a message of hope, and effective filmmaking. Another film that caught the attention of the festival judges was “4DWN”, which won the Best in Theme category. This award recognizes films that best represent the festival’s theme … Read more

Transmexico Wins Audience Choice Award at Santa Barbara Film Festival: A Powerful Story of Trans Women Defying Societal Norms

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Santa Barbara, California – Claudia Sanchez’s documentary, “Transmexico,” was awarded the Audience Choice Award at the 39th edition of the Santa Barbara Film Festival. The festival also announced winners in various categories, recognizing outstanding works in independent cinema, documentary filmmaking, and international feature films. This year’s selection of films tells diverse and compelling stories from different parts of the world, captivating audiences with their verve and originality. “Transmexico” follows the journeys of three trans women who defy societal norms, inspiring change despite facing formidable obstacles. The film resonated with the festival audience, earning the prestigious … Read more