4 years in the past, a Black teen was headed to a party when he encountered a bunch of Florida sheriff’s deputies who tased him so dangerous, he was left with critical, everlasting accidents. Now, the sheriff’s workplace is because of pay him a settlement however how a lot cash can actually undo the harm they brought about?
Solely now did the general public achieve entry to the decision between the Palm Seaside Sheriff’s Workplace and 17-year-old Timmie Lee Knox Jr. after he filed a lawsuit in connection to the occasions of Could 7, 2021. The go well with says he was on his strategy to his pal’s youngster’s party at John Prince Park in Palm Seaside County when he observed he was being adopted by an unmarked automobile.
His feminine pal was driving and one other girl was within the passenger seat. Within the backseat, Timmie sat with a younger man and two minors, per the go well with. The driving force ended up pulling right into a random driveway after rising “involved” concerning the thriller car behind them. The go well with says she wasn’t rushing or driving loopy.
Nevertheless, the group was met by deputy Dustin Sullivan who ordered everybody to get out of the car. The go well with says in concern, Knox fled the scene however whereas he was working, one other deputy encountered him along with his Taser drawn. The go well with says Sullivan and different deputies chased the teenager down earlier than he finally surrendered after climbing onto a rooftop of a house close by.
Sullivan then “instantly” tased Knox as his again was turned and fingers have been raised, the go well with says. The teenager was beneath the shock of the taser for a full 5 seconds. Finally, he misplaced his steadiness however then was tased once more by Sullivan, the go well with says. Knox then fell off the roof and into the house’s yard.
Because of this, Knox landed on his neck, severing his spinal wire and dropping management of the remainder of his physique. Deputies surrounded him, threatening to physique slam him if he didn’t rise up regardless of him being bodily unable to maneuver. The go well with says the deputies nonetheless grabbed the teenager and slammed him into the bottom, worsening his accidents.
In a supporting opinion filed with the lawsuit, an skilled mentioned the deputies violated their very own coverage of not utilizing a taser on an “elevated topic,” per the Miami Herald. Because of their perceived division violations, Knox, now 22, was left paralyzed from the neck down.
Again in July, the sheriff’s workplace agreed to settle the case with Knox for $5.5 million. We’re simply now discovering out about it after the Palm Seaside Put up was in a position to view the settlement through open data request. Knox isn’t the primary one to get paralyzed and paid out by the police both.
After New Haven police did not safe Randy Cox behind a police van, main him to be thrown towards the wall of the car after a tough cease, he was left paralyzed and acquired $45 million in settlement. Jajuan Henderson received $3 million in settlement after being shot and paralyzed by Trenton, N.J. police. We will nonetheless take into account this justice however no amount of cash can undo the harm the cops brought about.