Death

Federal Jury Awards $9.5 Million in Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Correction Officers After Inmate’s Death

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ALBANY, N.Y. – A federal court jury in Albany awarded $9.5 million to Tracy Yvonne Cooper after finding that correction officers at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora violated her son’s civil rights. The verdict came after hours of deliberation and followed Tracy Cooper’s claim that the guards used excessive force, resulting in the death of her son, Terry L. Cooper. Terry Cooper, a 25-year-old inmate, died during a confrontation with the baton-wielding guards at the maximum-security prison in 2016. The jury reached its decision only a few hours after hearing closing arguments in the case. … Read more

$75 Million Verdict: Parents Awarded Compensation in Tragic Police Chase Death

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St. Charles County, Missouri – A St. Charles County jury has awarded $75 million in a verdict to the parents of a young man who died in a fatal police chase. The jury found defendant Aron Richardson liable for the death of 21-year-old Krystofer Batsell, with $50 million awarded for actual damages and an additional $25 million in damages for aggravating circumstances. On November 17, 2018, Richardson was fleeing from St. Charles police when he ran a red light and struck Batsell, resulting in his death. Richardson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, drug possession, intoxication, … Read more

Family of Woman Fatally Shot During U.S. Capitol Riot Files Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Negligence and Wrongful Death

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The family of a woman who was fatally shot during the 2021 Capitol riot is filing a lawsuit against the U.S. government. The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. District Court in California, accuses the U.S. of negligence and wrongful death. The woman, Ashli Babbitt, was shot and killed by U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd during the riot on January 6, 2021. The lawsuit, represented by conservative activist group Judicial Watch, seeks $30 million in damages. According to Babbitt’s husband, she was unarmed and posed no threat when she was shot. The lawsuit alleges that … Read more

Jury Awards $33 Million in Damages in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Ottawa County Jail

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Tulsa, Oklahoma – A federal civil jury awarded $33 million in damages to the estate of Terral Brooks Ellis II, who died in the Ottawa County jail in 2015. The jury found that the medical care provided by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office violated Ellis’ constitutional rights. Ellis’ family expressed satisfaction and gratitude for the jury’s verdict, ending their years-long wait for justice. Ellis, 26, was pronounced dead on October 22, 2015, shortly after being transported from the Ottawa County jail to a local hospital with no detectable blood pressure. During his 10-day stay at … Read more