Overview
- A federal jury returned the verdict after a three-week trial at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, finding the family’s civil rights were violated.
- Records show officers executed Aug. 9, 2018 search warrants in New City based on a paid informant, targeted the wrong home, and ultimately found the suspect next door.
- Family members testified that officers pointed guns at four children and forced their grandmother outside in a T-shirt and underwear, and no contraband was recovered.
- Attorneys for the city and officers denied misconduct, said no guns were pointed at anyone, and noted there is no body-camera video because SWAT lacked cameras then.
- The award follows years of scrutiny of CPD raid practices and subsequent reforms, and reporting shows the city had already spent about $600,000 on private legal fees defending the officers.