Latest Legal News

NEWS & INVESTIGATIONS

$1.6 Million Settlement: Wrongful Death in Prison


Our Civil Rights Team led by Mark V. Maguire reached a $1.6 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.

Full article: Death of Marvin Scott III while in police custody ruled a homicide – CBS News

Related Articles

Recent NYPD Wrongful Conviction Cases

NYPD Wrongful Convictions  Wrongful arrests and convictions can happen anywhere. Recently, news broke about hundreds of convictions in New York City that may have been obtained through corrupt practices by the NYPD. The Manhattan district attorney’s office reviewed over 1,100…

$2 Million Settlement for Man Raped and Killed in Philly Prison

Armani Faison, 35, was incarcerated in Philadelphia’s Currran-Fromhold Correctional Facility for a mere shoplifting charge when things took a heinous turn. Mr. Faison was placed in a cell with Kevin Massey who has a history of violence and sexual assault…

Hundreds of Sexual Abuse Claims Rock NJ Juvenile Detention System as New Bordentown Lawsuits Emerge

New lawsuits allege that staff at two state-operated youth detention facilities in Bordentown, New Jersey, sexually abused children in their care, including allegations involving victims as young as 13 and 14. The filings expand a much larger legal proceeding involving…

McEldrew Purtell Helps Secure a Tentative $4.8 Million Settlement for the Estate of Ronald Greene

After years of fighting for answers and accountability, the Estate of Ronald Greene has reached a tentative $4.85 million settlement with the Louisiana State Police in their federal wrongful death lawsuit. While no legal outcome can erase the pain of…