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Family of Teen Who Died After Being Tased Reaches $12 Million Settlement Family of Teen Who Died After Being Tased Reaches $12 Million Settlement
(about 5 hours later)
The family of a 15-year-old who died after a Michigan state trooper stunned him with a Taser has settled a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Michigan State Police for $12 million, a family lawyer said Sunday.The family of a 15-year-old who died after a Michigan state trooper stunned him with a Taser has settled a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Michigan State Police for $12 million, a family lawyer said Sunday.
The family of the teenager, Damon Grimes, will receive $7.8 million from the settlement, and family lawyers will receive about $4 million, according to court documents.The family of the teenager, Damon Grimes, will receive $7.8 million from the settlement, and family lawyers will receive about $4 million, according to court documents.
“We hope this kind of money will act as a deterrent, but unfortunately it rarely does,” said George Fieger, a lawyer for Damon’s family. Mr. Fieger added that the settlement is the largest ever paid by the Michigan State Police Department for a single incident. “We hope this kind of money will act as a deterrent, but unfortunately it rarely does,” said Geoffrey Fieger, a lawyer for Damon’s family. Mr. Fieger added that the settlement is the largest ever paid by the Michigan State Police Department for a single incident.
A judge still has to approve the settlement, an outcome Mr. Fieger said was very likely.A judge still has to approve the settlement, an outcome Mr. Fieger said was very likely.
In August 2017, Michigan State troopers followed Damon in their patrol car after they spotted him illegally riding an A.T.V. in a residential area of Detroit. The troopers asked Damon to pull over. When he did not stop immediately, an officer in the passenger seat of the patrol car pulled out his Taser and stunned Damon.In August 2017, Michigan State troopers followed Damon in their patrol car after they spotted him illegally riding an A.T.V. in a residential area of Detroit. The troopers asked Damon to pull over. When he did not stop immediately, an officer in the passenger seat of the patrol car pulled out his Taser and stunned Damon.
Damon then crashed into the back of a parked truck and died shortly after. Mark Bessner, the police officer who stunned Damon, was suspended and later resigned.Damon then crashed into the back of a parked truck and died shortly after. Mark Bessner, the police officer who stunned Damon, was suspended and later resigned.
After two trials — the first ended with a hung jury in 2018 — Mr. Bessner was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2019. He was also charged with second-degree murder, but he was not found guilty on that charge.After two trials — the first ended with a hung jury in 2018 — Mr. Bessner was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2019. He was also charged with second-degree murder, but he was not found guilty on that charge.
Mr. Bessner was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison, according to court documents.Mr. Bessner was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison, according to court documents.
Days after Damon’s death, the Michigan State Police changed its pursuit policy to prohibit state troopers in Detroit from following vehicles because of a traffic violation or misdemeanor offenses.Days after Damon’s death, the Michigan State Police changed its pursuit policy to prohibit state troopers in Detroit from following vehicles because of a traffic violation or misdemeanor offenses.
Michigan State Police allows its officers to use Taser stun guns to overcome resistance to an arrest, or to keep a prisoner in custody. The State Police also requests that officers avoid using the device on women, children, older people and people who are sick or impaired.Michigan State Police allows its officers to use Taser stun guns to overcome resistance to an arrest, or to keep a prisoner in custody. The State Police also requests that officers avoid using the device on women, children, older people and people who are sick or impaired.
After the A.T.V. crash, the Michigan State Police said that Mr. Bessner “undisputedly acted outside of MSP policy and training.”After the A.T.V. crash, the Michigan State Police said that Mr. Bessner “undisputedly acted outside of MSP policy and training.”
Taser stun guns fire electrified prongs that can incapacitate a subject. Police departments have come to rely on Tasers because they are not considered as deadly as firearms, but in many cases, they have been just as lethal. Many police departments have a complex history with the weapons.Taser stun guns fire electrified prongs that can incapacitate a subject. Police departments have come to rely on Tasers because they are not considered as deadly as firearms, but in many cases, they have been just as lethal. Many police departments have a complex history with the weapons.
Families of boys or young men who died at the hands of police have come to similar agreements in recent years. The family of Stephon Clark reached a $2.4 million settlement with Sacramento in October. In 2016, Tamir Rice’s family reached a $6 million settlement with Cleveland, and Zachary Hammond’s family agreed to a $2.15 million settlement in Seneca, S.C.Families of boys or young men who died at the hands of police have come to similar agreements in recent years. The family of Stephon Clark reached a $2.4 million settlement with Sacramento in October. In 2016, Tamir Rice’s family reached a $6 million settlement with Cleveland, and Zachary Hammond’s family agreed to a $2.15 million settlement in Seneca, S.C.
“This settlement is about justice,” said Mr. Fieger, the Grimes family lawyer. “But justice doesn’t get back their son.”“This settlement is about justice,” said Mr. Fieger, the Grimes family lawyer. “But justice doesn’t get back their son.”