Michael Brown’s Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Ferguson
The civil lawsuit was filed under Missouri’s “wrongful death statute,” according to family lawyer Benjamin Crump. The lawsuit seeks $75,000 in damages and additional lawyer fees.
Brown’s death created a global firestorm of controversy. The civil suit was announced Wednesday night by Florida-based law firm Parks & Crump, which has been working with the Brown family.
City officials, however, are not surprised by this development. Last month, Brown’s parents publicly said they were planning to file the lawsuit.
Brown family attorney Anthony Gray said the lawsuit will demonstrate that Ferguson police — specifically, officer Darren Wilson — did not need to use deadly force against the unarmed teen during a confrontation last August. Brown, 18, was shot by Wilson and died from his wounds. Gray also said the suit will give a clearer picture of exactly what happened in the moments leading up to and after the shooting.
Last month, family attorneys indicated that Wilson will be included in the wrongful death suit. However, Wednesday’s announcement did not mention him among the defendants.
A grand jury declined to file charges against Wilson, and a Department of Justice report similarly said civil rights charges against the officer aren’t warranted.
A second Justice investigation found numerous instances of racial discrimination within the Ferguson Police Department — which was followed by the resignations of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson, Judge Ronald Brockmeyer and City Manager John Shaw.
Brown’s shooting and the subsequent lack of charges against Wilson ignited a whirlwind of protests in Missouri, around the United States — and even around the world — with many upset and critical of police for perceived instances of brutality.
Last month, two Ferguson police officers resigned after it became known that they sent racially insensitive emails with their department accounts.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder expressed disappointment and disgust with Ferguson police in the wake of the Justice investigations. Last month, he said federal authorities are willing to completely disband the Ferguson Police Department, if necessary.
