Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Jurors Award $23.1 Million to Man Shot by Deputy in Florida
Source: Associated Press
Jurors Award $23.1 Million to Man Shot by Deputy in Florida
By TERRY SPENCER, ASSOCIATED PRESS FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Feb 4, 2016, 4:50 AM ET
A federal jury has awarded $23.1 million to a black man who was shot and paralyzed by a Florida sheriff's deputy who thought he was armed, but it could be years before the 22-year-old man might see any of the money — if ever.
The six-woman, two-man jury ruled Wednesday that Palm Beach County Sheriff's Sgt. Adams Lin violated the civil rights of Dontrell Stephens when he shot him in September 2013.
Under Florida law, the Legislature has to approve any lawsuit payment exceeding $200,000 against a government agency.
In the past, legislators have been reluctant to do that, even in non-controversial cases.
In one case, it took about three years for the Legislature to approve a $3.5 million settlement for a Jacksonville teenager paralyzed when a large branch from a city-owned tree broke off and hit him in the head. That city had admitted fault. In another case, it took more than four years for the Legislature to approve a $10.7 million settlement for a teenager left permanently disabled when a speeding sheriff's deputy plowed into her car. A jury had awarded her $30 million.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
By TERRY SPENCER, ASSOCIATED PRESS FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Feb 4, 2016, 4:50 AM ET
A federal jury has awarded $23.1 million to a black man who was shot and paralyzed by a Florida sheriff's deputy who thought he was armed, but it could be years before the 22-year-old man might see any of the money — if ever.
The six-woman, two-man jury ruled Wednesday that Palm Beach County Sheriff's Sgt. Adams Lin violated the civil rights of Dontrell Stephens when he shot him in September 2013.
Under Florida law, the Legislature has to approve any lawsuit payment exceeding $200,000 against a government agency.
In the past, legislators have been reluctant to do that, even in non-controversial cases.
In one case, it took about three years for the Legislature to approve a $3.5 million settlement for a Jacksonville teenager paralyzed when a large branch from a city-owned tree broke off and hit him in the head. That city had admitted fault. In another case, it took more than four years for the Legislature to approve a $10.7 million settlement for a teenager left permanently disabled when a speeding sheriff's deputy plowed into her car. A jury had awarded her $30 million.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/jurors-award-231-million-man-shot-deputy-florida-36707170
