Philando Castile’s Mom Reaches $2.995 Million Settlement With The City

Posted on June 26, 2017 by AJ Woodson in Across The Nation // 0 Comments

Philando Castile, right, (pictured with his mother, Valerie) was shot July 6, 2016 during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights. [Facebook]

The mother of Philando Castile, a black motorist shot by a suburban Minneapolis police officer a year ago, agreed to a $2.995 million settlement with the city of St. Anthony, lawyers announced Monday.

Valerie Castile will be paid with insurance funds, and “no taxpayer monies” will be involved, according to a statement issued by the city and the family’s lawyers.

Jeronimo Yanez, who is leaving the force, was acquitted June 16 of second-degree manslaughter and two counts of intentional discharge of a firearm that endangers safety. Castile was killed July 6 during a traffic stop, and his girlfriend streamed the shooting’s aftermath on Facebook Live.

“The death of Philando Castile is a tragedy for his family and for our community,” the joint statement says. “The parties moved expeditiously to resolve potential civil claims … in order to allow the process of healing to move forward for the Castile family, for the people of St. Anthony Village, and for all those impacted by the death of Philando Castile throughout the United States.”

“No amount of money could ever replace Philando. With a resolution of the claims, the family will continue to deal with their loss through the important work of the Philando Castile Relief Foundation.”

The announcement comes a week after the family of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed in 2014 by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, reached a settlement in its wrongful death lawsuit against that city.

Brown was killed by white Officer Darren Wilson. The incident sparked outrage and protest across the country. An investigation by the Justice Department into the incident brought no charges against Wilson, who argued he shot Brown in self-defense as Brown charged at him.

Details of that settlement were not made public, though the original lawsuit shows the Brown family sought punitive and compensatory damages in excess of $75,000, in addition to attorney’s fees.

Castile’s death came one day after the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which was partly captured on bystander video and sparked widespread protests.

A civil lawsuit for wrongful death has concluded with the news that Valerie Castile, his mother, will receive the money from the city of St Anthony.

The Hispanic police officer who shot him was acquitted of manslaughter.

Mr. Castile, a 32-year-old school cafeteria worker, was stopped by police last July and the encounter began cordially.

Police officer Jeronimo Yanez informed him his brake light was out and asked for his insurance and license.

But when Mr. Castile politely told the officer about the gun he was legally carrying, things became tense and seconds later the officer opened fire, after shouting “Don’t reach for it!”