$1.75M To Family Of A Man Died In Police Struggle

$1.75M To Family Of A Man Died In Police Struggle

Introduction

The spouse of a Tulalip tribal member who died while struggling with police will get $1.75 million from Snohomish County.

The lawsuit alleges that the police officers used excessive force on the plaintiff even after he said to them that he is not able to breathe. A state judge dismissed the lawsuit, but last year the Washington Court of Appeals reinstated it.

The plaintiff had three children, and worked as a commercial fisherman, and drove a school bus. His spouse is a member of the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability.

A three-judge panel in the Court of Appeals Division I suggested the victim's spouse to seek a civil battery claim against the officers who mishandled the plaintiff.

As per the court documents of police officers' attorneys, the plaintiff was intoxicated because of which one of the police officers offered him a ride to home. The plaintiff agreed with the officers and was handcuffed to be taken to the home, but eventually, he lost his cool and started agitating after getting into the car.

The victim's family said that it is a big win for them as they have been fighting for six long years to get justice in the lawsuit.