The family of Jawan Dallas, a 36-year-old Alabama man who died after being tased by police in July 2023, has filed a $36 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Mobile.
The lawsuit alleges that Mobile police used excessive force during their encounter with Dallas, leading to his death. It names the city and two unnamed officers as defendants.
According to the family's legal team, Dallas was tased multiple times by officers while they were attempting to detain him. This claim contradicts the findings of a grand jury, which cleared the officers of criminal wrongdoing and attributed Dallas' death to underlying medical conditions and drug use, exacerbated by the struggle with police.
However, the family's attorneys maintain that body camera footage, which they have viewed, shows excessive force being used by the officers. They have urged the police department to publicly release the video.
Furthermore, the lawsuit contends that officers had no reason to stop and question Dallas, as he was not suspected of any wrongdoing. This claim stems from the initial police response to a reported burglary at a trailer park. While the caller described a "homeless guy" in their yard, Dallas was found in his vehicle at a different trailer.
The lawsuit alleges that an officer demanded Dallas exit his vehicle and show identification, despite his assertion that their actions violated his rights. Dallas reportedly attempted to flee but was tackled by an officer.
Body camera footage reportedly captures Dallas screaming for help and stating, "I can't breathe. I don't want to be George Floyd."
The lawsuit accuses the city's police chief of deliberately presenting a "false narrative" to justify the officers' questioning of Dallas. In response, the city released a transcript of the 911 call and claims their chief relayed information provided by the caller.
The Dallas family is represented by several prominent attorneys, including Harry Daniels, John Burrus, Ben Crump, and Lee Merritt, who have represented families in numerous high-profile cases involving Black individuals who have died during police encounters.
This lawsuit adds another layer to the ongoing national conversation about police brutality and excessive force, particularly against Black individuals. As the case progresses, further details are likely to emerge, and the court will ultimately decide whether the city and the officers involved are liable for Dallas' death.
Comments
Post a Comment