Daily News John MarzulliThe family of slain Bronx teen Ramarley Graham agreed to accept $3.9 million from the city Friday to settle their wrongful death lawsuit, the Daily News has learned.
The settlement comes amid an ongoing federal investigation by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara into possible civil rights violations against the NYPD cops involved in the Feb. 2, 2012 fatal shooting.
Officer Richard Haste, who fired the fatal shot after chasing Graham, 18, from the street into his home, was initially indicted by the Bronx district attorney for manslaughter, but a judge threw out the case on a legal technicality.
A second grand jury declined to indict the cop.
Police officials said Haste mistakenly thought Graham was had a gun.
City Law Department spokesman Nick Paolucci said: “This was a tragic case. After evaluating all the facts, and consulting with key stakeholders such as the NYPD, it was determined that settling the matter was in the best interest of the City.”
Haste does not have to pay a dime toward the settlement, a source said.
Graham’s estate will receive $2.95 million; his brother will receive $500,000 and his grandmother $450,000 because they were in the home at the time of the shooting, sources said. Graham’s mother, Constance Malcolm, will also receive $40,000,the sources said.
Besides emotional damages, the family also sought compensation for their alleged mistreatment by police who detained them after the shooting.
SETH WENIG/APPolice Officer Richard Haste fired the fatal shot. He was initially indicted for manslaughter in Graham’s death, but a judge tossed it on a technicality.After Graham was gunned down in the bathroom, cops allegedly threatened to shoot his grieving grandmother, according to the suit filed in Bronx Supreme Court.
“Why did you shoot him? Why you killed him?” Patricia Hartley allegedly asked the officer who had just fired a fatal bullet into her grandson’s chest.
“Get the f— away before I have to shoot you, too,” the suit alleged Haste warned after pushing the 58-year-old backward into a vase.
Police had claimed that Graham was suspected of participating in a drug deal.
Cops chased him into his Williamsbridge home without a warrant and Haste claimed that he had heard over the police radio that Graham was armed. A a small bag of marijuana was recovered.
The suit also accused the NYPD of trying to cover up the killing, failing to properly train officers and engaging in racial discrimination through the stop-and-frisk policy.
Graham’s death sparked numerous protests in the Bronx and other parts of the city by demonstrators calling for justice.
Just another day in the life of the average American cop. Cover up cover up and bery the victoms of there brutality. You don’t like it they will run you out of Amerca for your own safety. Such is life around the American cop in America. Nothing racial about it. Just the way the American police areout there.
I was thinking maybe the problem is the large law suits. We may be ahead fireing the cops, permanet removal of there fire arms permit, send out there reference sheet from the police known murderer and worthless person in the strongest of terms. Not allowed to be around the public in employment. And fire them. No pension no benifits just gone to the homeless camps. And take all they own for the rest of the dog pack to enjoy in the cop kick back fund.
$3.9 million lawsuit for a small bag of marijuana? Why was the pig even chasing him down over this? NYPD traditionally ignored marijuana even though it’s technically illegal.
EVERYONE should sue their police departments at every opportunity. When they have to shell out $3.9 million for every psychopath they hire they may start changing their tactics. (but I doubt it, because the commie control is what they’re paying for, and the money is garbage anyway)
Agree with JR
3.9M awarded by the state. So now we need to sue the state so that money comes out the depts/officers pocket and not WE THE SLAVES.
hit my head real quick
bam
ahhhh now I can go back to sleep.