Overview
- The City Council Finance Committee approved the $27 million settlement for the family of Stacy Vaughn-Harrell, sending it to the full Council for a vote next week.
- After winning an appeal that ordered a new trial, the city moved to settle based on post-crash footage the first jury did not see and that a new judge has indicated could be allowed.
- Lawyers for the city and the family warned a retrial would feature expanded damages and more witnesses, with potential awards well over $100 million, citing a similar 2024 case that settled for $79 million.
- The family’s claims focus on alleged pursuit-policy violations, including an unmarked car leading the chase without lights or siren, and body cameras that were not activated or were turned on late.
- Family attorneys also pointed to officers linked to disgraced former Sgt. Ronald Watts handling evidence that night, raising credibility concerns if the case returned to trial.