Ferguson Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed By Michael Brown’s Parents
Michael Brown
In 2015, Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden, the parents of 18-year Michael Brown, filed a suit against the city of Ferguson, MO, the former Police Chief Tom Jackson and former police officer Darren Wilson. Today, the city settled that lawsuit.
Terms of the wrongful death settlement were not disclosed. United States District Court Judge E. Richard Webber approved the settlement and ordered it sealed, writing;
“The gross settlement amount is fair and reasonable compensation for this wrongful death claim and is in the best interests of each plaintiff.”
In 2014, Michael Brown was shot multiple times, with the fatal wound being to the top of his head, spilling his brains onto the street. His body laid in the street for more than 4 hours. A grand jury failed to indict Darren Wilson, and the DOJ began a probe that found systematic racial discrimination in Ferguson that targeted Black residents and created a “toxic environment.” The report said the city overwhelmingly arrested and issued traffic citations to Blacks to boost city income, and used the police as a collection agency.
A grand jury decided not to charge Wilson, and the U.S. Justice Department declined to bring any charges of civil rights violations against him.
The controversy over whether Darren Wilson was justified appeared to center around whether Michael Brown had his hands up when Wilson went into a shooting rampage that included at least one bullet going into an apartment. After shooting Michael, Wilson described the 18-year old as looking like a “demon” thereafter, causing him to fear for his life.
James Knowles, the mayor of Ferguson, and Anthony Gray, the lead attorney for Michael’s parents, declined to comment about the settlement.
Posted on 06/20/2017, in Black lives matter, Cases, Michael Brown - Ferguson and tagged Darren Wilson, DOJ findings, Ferguson, lawsuit, Michael Brown, Missouri, parents, wrongful death. Bookmark the permalink. 8 Comments.
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident 
Whatever the settlement is it’s not enough to compensate for losing your child.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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David,
That is true. No value can ever be placed on human life. Michael’s mom has already started doing some positive things for her community, and I hope that the settlement money helps her in that regards. Michael’s death has not been in vain. It woke many people up to the discriminatory and oppressive practices of the Ferguson police department and the city’s administration. (Huge hugs back to you)
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What I found most disturbing is that the black community allowed the mayor to be re-elected.
What exactly was the point of all of those protests just to sit on your butts during election time and not make your voice heard at the ballot box?
*sigh*
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Roderick,
I wish I could answer that. I’ve heard some people say that voting makes no difference and is the lesser of two evils. Some others have said it’s best to re-elect what you know than make a bad situation worst with who you don’t know. Then there are personal reasons, such as not being able to get off work and having to pick up children from the sitter’s or daycare center by a certain time. Some find that polling places are inconvenient and don’t have transportation. All excuses.
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Xena, Isn’t it strange that many of these same people that can’t find the time to vote, can find time to go to the store for cigarettes, or to buy a six pack of beer, or visit a friend, etc. Yet, when it comes to the very thing that could actually bring change for them they have no time…
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Mothman,
Your comment addresses the priorities that people make time for, and those they do not. Maybe some education can help, but then there has been lots of information available for decades. The younger generation has maybe forgotten the sacrifices of those before them that makes it possible for them to vote. I had that conversation with a friend the other night.
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http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/michael-brown-shooting/michael-brown-s-family-received-1-5-million-settlement-ferguson-n775936
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😥
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