ant_7000 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2004 http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040106_2055.html NYC to Pay $3M to Amadou Diallo's Family NYC Paying $3M to Family of Amadou Diallo, African Killed After Being Shot at 41 Times by Police The Associated Press NEW YORK Jan. 6 — The city will pay $3 million to the family of Amadou Diallo, the unarmed West African immigrant killed by undercover police in a hail of 41 bullets outside his home five years ago. "The mayor, the police department and the city deeply regret what occurred and extend their sympathies to the Diallo family," Michael Cardozo, the city's chief lawyer, said Tuesday in announcing the settlement. Diallo was shot to death in the vestibule of his Bronx apartment building on Feb. 4, 1999, by four white officers who said they mistook his wallet for a gun. The officers said they wanted to talk to Diallo because he fit the description of a rape suspect they were seeking. The officers fired 41 shots, hitting the street vendor from Guinea 19 times and making the killing an international symbol of police brutality. The death also heightened racial tensions in New York and sparked massive protests. Diallo's parents, Saikou and Kadiatou, had sought $81 million in their negligence lawsuit. At a press conference Tuesday, Diallo's mother called the settlement "one step (toward) the end of closure." "We will continue to fight for justice and the legacy of Amadou," his father said. They said the money will go to a foundation they established and to pay for college for their three children. "It shows the city and the Bloomberg administration, unlike the prior administration, wanted to make amends," said Anthony Gair, a lawyer for the family. The officers were acquitted of state criminal charges in a February 2000 trial. The Justice Department decided not to bring federal civil rights charges against the officers. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was elected after the shooting, said he was pleased that an agreement had been reached. "This is not a substitute for human life," he said. "But it was a chapter out of our history and I'm just glad that we were able to come to a financial settlement with the family and let's get on with it." Two of the officers from the shooting remain on the force and two are now firefighters. James Culleton, attorney for former Officer Richard Murphy, said he hoped the settlement "will put all this to rest and everyone can move on with their lives." Officer Kenneth Boss, who is on desk duty with no shield or gun, is suing the department for full reinstatement, said his attorney, Steven Brounstein. "This was a tragic mistake, and a mistake is not a criminal act," Brounstein said. "Hopefully an incident like this will not happen again," said Stephen Worth, attorney for former Officer Edward McMellon. Well its a nice gesture, but it won't bring a life back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2004 I always wondered where they get the numbers for this kind of thing. How did they determine he was worth three million dollars? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2004 Wish my old man would get shot by the cops for refusing to raise his arms in the air so I could get a seven-figure settlement... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
