The family of Freddie Gray who was killed at the hands of Baltimore police officers in April of this year has been awarded 6.4 million dollars in a civil suit settlement by the City Of Baltimore. Now usually civil claims are conducted after criminal litigation’s are resolved; but not in this case.
Baltimore, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake says that the settlement was partly in favor to bring an important measure of closure to the Gray family, the community, the city, and to avoid years of protracted civil litigation and potential harm to the community and the divisiveness that may resolve.
” The settlement is about making the right fiscal decision for the city of Baltimore; simply put, the 6.4 million was agreed upon in the best interest of protecting tax payers – says Blake. In looking at the settlement, I acknowledge that it is relatively unusual for the city to choose to settle a civil claim involving police misconduct prior to a resolution in a criminal case but in the limited number of cases involving unique and extraordinary circumstances, the city has made the decision to to settle a civil liability prior to the adjudication of criminal charges. ”
Now, like many I raised my eyebrows a few times when I learned about this particular settlement so lets look at the evidence.
The notion that the settlement had more to do with a fiscal decision says alot about the political establishment in Baltimore. Now, there’s no set price that could compensate for a lost life, but the release of the video [which shows clear police misconduct] did more harm than good [ie; rioting, and weeks of unrest] , and while the six police officers don’t have much of an argument or alibi for killing this young teen,
According to the World’s Socialist Website:
” The proposed payment to the Gray family would surpass the total of more than 120 other lawsuits brought against the Baltimore Police Department for brutality and misconduct since 2011. The Baltimore Sun reported that from 2011 through September 2014, the city spent $5.7 million in settlements alone, and paid another $5.8 million for legal representation in 102 cases.”
So, the suggestion that the settlement was an important measure for the city – could be true, but for the community – no! How will impoverished communities benefit differently post Freddie Gray’s death given this new lawsuit. Was there a silent community payout that the public has little knowledge of? Will there be more police presence in these communities? What kind of resources will be implemented into these communities? Will the baltimore police department hire more black police officers to ‘police’ these communities? How will this lawsuit help or foster better relationships between community residents and police officers?
While we wait for the answers, lets move on.
Most would argue that a wrongful death suit of this kind deserves a higher ‘pay out’ then 6.4 million especially if the gray family would have opted for the criminal proceedings to be held before agreeing to a settlement. A judge could have easily granted the family well over ten million dollars if the six officers are convicted but the city has already dodged the bullet by offering up a smaller settlement that would ultimately absolve the city’s guilt as well as lighten the tension for both parties [police and residents] .
This similar occurrence comes just two months after the City Of New York issued a 5.9 million settlement for Eric Garner’s family who died shortly after being placed in a chokehold by police during an arrest .
Back in July of this year, Garner’s family attorney Johnathan Moore says the $5.9 million dollars would help to support Garner’s widow, mother and five children. But the settlement means the city does not admit liability for Garner’s death. The officers in the Garner death were never indicted, and therefore the family would have probably spent years in litigation which would’ve cost them a few million dollars that they would have had to [repay their fees] from their settlement payout.
And there you have it folks! There’s always a sacrifice to be made.
Earlier today [Friday Sept. 11] Stephanie Rawlings Blake announced that she will not be running for re-election next year.
” It was a very difficult decision, but I knew I needed to spend time focused on the city’s future not my own, I’m focused right now on governing, rather than campaigning for mayor at this critical time in our history – says Blake. “
Blake went on to say that she did not want every decision to be evaluated in the context of a political campaign. Hmmm!
The 6.4 million settlement is to be paid within a span of two years.