Welcome to the weekly update from the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity! Here, we give you a wrap-up of the latest developments and notable news as we continue our state-focused fight to abolish the unjust rule.
This week, Uvalde suspends its rogue police force; Daniel Prude’s family receives justice; Detroit rallies to honor Porter Burks; and more!
FEATURED STORY
ABC News: Uvalde School District Suspends Entire Police Force, Superintendent to Retire Amid Fallout from Shooting
“Victims’ families, led by Brett Cross, guardian of 10-year-old victim Uziyah Garcia, had been holding a round-the-clock vigil outside the school district headquarters calling for change. The families are now commending Friday’s police department announcement. ‘We’ve gotten a little bit of accountability…it’s a win, and we don’t get very many of those.’”
Read more here.
NEW YORK
The City of Rochester has awarded $12 million to the family of Daniel Prude, who died following a brutal police encounter in March 2020. Although “no amount of money can bring back Daniel Prude,” said the family’s attorney, “we are happy that the money will compensate [his] children for this tragedy.”
Read more here.
The City of Ithaca seeks to block an excessive force lawsuit against four officers who wrongfully arrested Rose DeGroat and Cadji Ferguson in April 2019, claiming that the rogue cops are entitled to qualified immunity. “Until individual police officers have some skin in the game…no incentive exists for police officers to change their behavior,” said the victims’ attorney, condemning the city’s actions.
Read more here.
Artist Bradley McCallum has turned six old emergency call-boxes in downtown Brooklyn into powerful memorials to victims of police violence. “I hope the public climate has shifted enough for people—especially the authorities, politicians, and policymakers—to understand [the installation] as a monument to our shared humanity,” McCallum said. “As the father of a mixed-race son…I appreciate first-hand the fear that comes with systemic racism and the challenges we face in policing our democracy,” he added.
Read more here.
MARYLAND
Adnan Syed, subject of the blockbuster Serial podcast, has been released from prison after new DNA evidence exonerated him for the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, his high school girlfriend. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn also cited prosecutorial misconduct for overturning Syed’s wrongful conviction.
Read more here.
Five nominees have been identified to serve on Prince George’s County police accountability board (PAB), with a public hearing scheduled for October 24. The PAB, which will replace the county’s Citizen Complaint Oversight Panel, “would permit a comprehensive assessment of patterns and procedures within the county and municipal police departments.”
Read more here.
ILLINOIS
In an effort to build community trust in law enforcement, Chicago has implemented a six-month mediation initiative between residents and officers, to address misconduct complaints such as “allegations related to perceived bias in policing or failures to provide appropriate service.”
Read more here.
ADDITIONAL NEWS
Fox 2 Detroit: Justice for Porter Burks March Held Demanding Answers in His Fatal Shooting by DPD
“The family and friends took to the streets after the 20-year-old was reportedly shot at 38 times by five officers…responding to a mental health crisis. Police body camera video released publicly shows him approaching police with a knife. ‘Police brutality must be stopped, fire and jail those killer cops,’ the crowd chanted.”
Read more here.
13 News Now: Attorneys Speak About Progress Ahead of January Trial for Lawsuit Against Windsor Police Officers
“After more than two years, Lt. Caron Nazario’s lawsuit against two Windsor Police Officers will go to trial. ‘I am happy to finally get this trial in front of a jury,’ said Jonathan Arthur, Nazario’s attorney. ‘That is what we have been pushing for a long time.’ Lt. Nazario sued former officer Joe Gutierrez and Officer Daniel Crocker after the duo stopped him at a Windsor gas station for not having a visible rear license plate.”
Read more here.
WLOX: Mother of 15-Year-Old Shot in Head by Gulfport Police Officer Searching for Answers
“[Katrina] Mateen said her 15-year-old son [Jaheim McMillan] was shot in the head by a Gulfport police officer Thursday. Authorities said they received reports of a car with people inside waving guns at drivers. That car was stopped by an officer at a Family Dollar store in Gulfport…leading to shots being fired. ‘No one held up a weapon at a police officer,’ said [Mateen]. ‘They are making up stories to save their behinds.’”
Read more here.
Reuters: U.S. Supreme Court Rebuffs Challenge to Police Qualified Immunity Defense
“The justices rejected an appeal by the widow of Antonino Gordon of a lower court’s decision to grant Royal Oak, Michigan police officer Keith Bierenga qualified immunity for shooting Gordon in 2018 in a drive-thru line at a White Castle hamburger restaurant while investigating Gordon for prior traffic violations.”
Read more here.
San Antonio Current: San Antonio Police Officer Fired After Shooting Teen Suspect in McDonald’s Parking Lot
“SAPD rookie James Brennand initially said he fired his weapon after the teen struck him with his vehicle, according to police reports obtained by MySA. However, in body-cam footage posted by the department, it appears the teen—who’s recovering in hospital—never struck the officer.”
Read more here.
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