Jury Awards More Than $37M to Family of Maryland Woman Over Fatal Police Shooting
A Baltimore County jury has ruled in favor of the family of Korryn Gaines — and awarded more than $37 million in damages — in the civil lawsuit brought by the family of the Randallstown, MD, woman who was fatally shot by a county police officer after a six-hour standoff in 2016.
A Baltimore County jury has ruled in favor of the family of Korryn Gaines — and awarded more than $37 million in damages — in the civil lawsuit brought by the family of the Randallstown, MD, woman who was fatally shot by a county police officer after a six-hour standoff in 2016.
The jury found that the first shot from the police officer who fired at Gaines, killing her and injuring her son, Kodi, was not reasonable, and therefore the civil rights of both Gaines and Kodi were violated under state and federal statutes, reports the Baltimore Sun.
The jury awarded more than $32 million to Kodi in damages, and $4.5 million for his sister, Karsyn. Gaines’ father and mother were awarded $300,000 and $307,000, respectively, and the Gaines estate was awarded $300,000.
Gaines’ family sued the Baltimore County government and the officer who fired the shots, Cpl. Royce Ruby, alleging civil rights violations, and had sought more than $42 million for Gaines’ estate and survivors.
Ruby was cleared of any wrongdoing by the state's attorney and was not criminally charged. He has been promoted from the rank of officer to corporal.
Related: Instagram Posts May Have Escalated Fatal Maryland Standoff, Police Say
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