$1.6 Million Settlement: Wrongful Death in Prison

Our Civil Rights Team led by Mark V. Maguire reached a $2 million settlement for the estate of Marvin David Scott III, who was wrongfully killed by police officers while in custody.

Mr. Scott was under arrest for a misdemeanor of marijuana possession. He had a history of schizophrenia and while in custody at Collin County Detention Facility started to behave erratically, in a way consistent with a schizophrenic episode. The officers then tied him to a bed, placed a spit hood on him and pepper sprayed him. Mr. Scott became unresponsive and was pronounced dead shortly after.

The medical examiner’s report stated that the cause of death was “fatal acute stress response in an individual with previously diagnosed schizophrenia during restraint struggle with law enforcement.” This is an example of the county’s failure to maintain safe and civilized jails. Our firm is satisfied in knowing that after their tragic loss and a grueling legal process, the family received some comfort in seeing the county be held accountable for their actions.