Overview
- The City Council Finance Committee will consider the proposed $27 million settlement on Friday, with a full council vote possible next week.
- The Law Department recommended settlement after retrial preparation uncovered evidence including body-camera lapses, alleged pursuit-policy violations, and ties to disgraced former Sgt. Ronald Watts.
- Stacy Vaughn-Harrell died on June 24, 2017 when a Kia fleeing police ran a stop sign in Englewood, and her daughter, Kimberlyn Myers, was seriously injured.
- A 2023 jury awarded about $10.2 million to the family, but the city won an appeal that resulted in a new trial being ordered.
- Family attorneys shared video they say shows an officer denying a chase over the radio and officers not aiding the victims, and they are urging approval as they argue a retrial could yield a far higher award; Ald. Ray Lopez says he will support the deal after viewing the new footage.