Jury awards more than $37M to family of Korryn Gaines in civil case against Baltimore County
February 17, 2018 by admin
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A Baltimore County jury has ruled in favor of the family of Korryn Gaines — awarding more than $37 million in damages in the civil lawsuit regarding the Randallstown woman who was shot and killed by police after a six-hour standoff in 2016.
The jury of six women found that the first shot from the police officer who fired at Gaines, killing her and injuring her then-5-year-old son, Kodi, was not reasonable, and therefore violated their civil rights under state and federal statutes.
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. No punitive damages were awarded.
The jury took less than three hours to reach its verdict against the Baltimore County government and Cpl. Royce Ruby, who fired the shots at Gaines.
There were gasps in the courtroom when the jury forewoman read the jury’s decision in the case, and Gaines family members were in tears following the announcement.
Kenneth Ravenell, the attorney for Kodi’s father, Corey Cunningham, said they were “blessed” that the jury “quickly, swiftly returned a justified verdict on behalf of a 6-year-old child who was victimized by Officer Royce Ruby.”
“This is a great day. This is a great statement on behalf of many who have been victimized by police officers — too many — in our community,” Ravenell said.
Gaines’ mother, Rhanda Dormeus, spoke to reporters through tears outside the courthouse.
“This win is for all of my sisters in the movement who have lost their children to police violence,” she said. “Some of them have never received justice, either criminally or civil. I just want to tell them that this win is for them,” she said.
Baltimore County government attorney Mike Field issued a statement after the jury’s verdict, saying the county is “disappointed” with the decision and “is reviewing all of its options, including an appeal.”
“A mother died, a child was unintentionally injured, and police officers were placed in mortal danger. By any account, this was a tragic situation,” Field said in the statement.
Through a spokesman, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz declined to comment. Kamenetz, a Democrat, is running for governor.
A representative of Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 4 said the union had no comment on the verdict.
Council Chairman Julian Jones, a Woodstock Democrat, said the case should prompt review of police department policies. Jones’ district includes Randallstown.
“I just think we should really review our policies, not just Baltimore County police, but all police… in terms of when it’s necessary to shoot and is there an alternative to shooting,” Jones said.
He also expressed concern over the cost of the case to taxpayers at a time when county leaders are “arguing over whether we can afford a school or can’t afford a school.”
“That’s the cost of an elementary school,” Jones said of the multimillion verdict.
While Gaines’ family and attorneys expressed relief the jury agreed with them and found the shooting was wrong, some said they were frustrated Ruby is still on the police force. Ruby was cleared of criminal wrongdoing by State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger and was not charged. He has since been promoted from the rank of officer to corporal.
The outcome comes after nearly three weeks of testimony and legal arguments over the events that led up to the fatal shooting on Aug. 1, 2016.
Gaines’ family sued the county and Cpl. Royce Ruby, the officer who fired the shots, alleging civil rights violations, and had sought more than $42 million for the woman’s estate and survivors.
Gaines had broadcast part of the standoff on social media. The case garnered national attention, with some activists citing it as an example of excessive police force against people of color.
In defense closing arguments Friday, Assistant County Attorney James S. Ruckle Jr. attempted to make the case that Ruby acted reasonably and out of fear that other officers could be hurt or killed.
He walked the jurors through the events of the day, starting with two officers who tried to serve arrest warrants on Gaines and her fiance at about 9 a.m. No one would open the apartment door, which officers eventually kicked in, Ruckle said.
The first officer who entered the apartment was “confronted with Korryn Gaines with a shotgun pointed right at him.”
Gaines’ fiance left with their infant daughter, but Gaines remained behind with 5-year-old Kodi. Tactical officers soon took over for the patrol officers, stationed in the hallway outside of the Randallstown apartment for six hours. Much of the time, Ruby was stationed outside the apartment door, which was cracked open.
Ruckle told the jury that Ruby was at risk of being injured, should Gaines fire her shotgun. Though Ruby was wearing tactical gear, including a protective vest and helmet, his arms, legs and face were exposed, Ruckle said.
Ruckle said Ruby decided to shoot after he saw Gaines’ braids and the barrel of her shotgun rise from behind a wall.
“What Cpl. Ruby was doing was attempting to end, terminate the threat,” Ruckle said.
He said that when Ruby fired through the doorway and a wall toward Gaines, he aimed to where he thought Gaines was, and high enough to be above Kodi’s head, in case the boy was near his mother.
Ruckle had suggested Gaines was at fault for putting Kodi in harm’s way by allowing him, at times, to stand in front of her as she had her shotgun in her lap. “What parent puts their kid in front of a shotgun?” Ruckle asked.
He said it was Gaines who set the events in motion that led to hear death.
Ruckle also disputed the damage requests, suggesting the jury only look at costs such as the $7,000 for Gaines’ funeral and $23,000 for Kodi’s past medical bills.
In rebuttal, Kenneth Ravenell, who represents Kodi, said his client did nothing to deserve getting shot and watching his mother die. He called Ruby’s decision to fire “reckless.”
“He’s a victim of an unreasonable shot by Ruby that should not have occurred,” he said.
And J. Wyndal Gordon, representing the estate and other relatives, said Ruby didn’t make a split-second decision to shoot Gaines. “He waited for the opportune time to make that decision,” Gordon said.
Gordon also suggested that Gaines posed no immediate threat to police.
“She wasn’t a threat the entire day,” he said.
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Hundreds gather at Bridgeport church for Cmdr. Paul Bauer’s wake
February 17, 2018 by admin
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Hundreds of people formed a line three blocks long outside a Bridgeport church Friday for the wake of police Cmdr. Paul Bauer, who was shot and killed earlier in the week while confronting a suspect in the Loop.
Police officers from around the state and federal agents, including U.S. marshals, stood in the cold outside Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church to show their respect. Groups of officers from such places as Cicero, Waukegan, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Oak Brook mingled with Chicago cops of all ranks.
Almost every home on the block displayed a blue ribbon in solidarity. A woman walking home told every officer she came across, “I’m sorry for your loss,” including the officers who stood in line outside her steps.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel came early, as did former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Also arriving were two other Daley brothers, Cook County Commissioner John Daley and former White House chief of staff Bill Daley. Former police Superintendent Garry McCarthy petted a police horse on the backside while greeting an officer outside the church.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said he knew Bauer and considered him a friend. The fact that Bauer took it upon himself to join in pursuit of a suspect shows how deeply Bauer took his responsibility to keep the public safe, he said.
“We lost a hero,” White said.
Inside the church, Bauer’s wife, Erin, his 13-year-old daughter, Grace, along with his father and sisters greeted the stream of well wishers who filed by the coffin. Flowers lined the church and family photos were on display.
Bauer, 53, was shot six times Tuesday near the Thompson Center downtown. His alleged killer, Shomari Legghette, is being held without bond.
Chicago police Deputy Chief Kevin Ryan, who was Bauer’s boss, said he could always count on him “to do the right thing for the right reasons.”
“He never broke the public trust,” Ryan said.
Ryan said “guys like Paul” represent “the real police.”
“It’s not always glamorous but every day he made a difference for somebody,” Ryan said.
Four officers from Milwaukee police department’s honor guard drove south to pay their respects. “It’s a brotherhood,” said Elvis Lock, one of the Wisconsin officers. “we consider this our family.”
Earlier Friday, dozens of police officers stood outside the doors of the church. The officers, along with members of the Chicago Fire Department, lined up in carefully ordered rows flanking the entrance of the building. Fifteen mounted officers lined up across the street from that group. All wore buttons on their coats bearing a photograph of Bauer.
The silver hearse containing Bauer’s body arrived at the church just before 12:30 p.m., led by four officers on foot. Swathed in a Chicago flag, the copper-colored casket was carried into the church by eight pallbearers, all from the Police Department, as those assembled outside saluted.
Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson came out afterward to talk to reporters. He thanked the public for its support during what he said was a “very difficult” time.
“The healing process starts today for CPD and the family,” he said.
Johnson encouraged those attending the parade to be held in Bauer’s honor Saturday to wear blue in support of the late officer’s family.
The wake, which is open to the public, began at 3 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Friday at the church, at 653 W. 37th St. The St. Jude Police League will honor Bauer at 6 p.m.
eolumhense@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @essayolumhense
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