Steen family will seek $10 million
Steen family attorney Aaron Watson has sent the Pensacola City Manager and Pensacola City Council members a letter informing them that the Steen family intends to seek damages of $10 million in the death of 17-year-old Victor Steen.
Mr. Steen died October 3 when he was struck by the police cruiser of Pensacola Police officer Jerald Ard. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s investigation into the incident recently wrapped up, and State Attorney Bill Eddins is currently considering what, if any, charges Officer Ard will face. Officer Ard remains on restricted desk duty, as he has been since October 13.
The letter states that the City, the Pensacola Police Department, and Officer Ard of “negligently caused Victor Steen’s wrongful and premature death”:
The City and its agents failed to properly screen, supervise, and adequately train police officers, including Officer Ard, regarding investigation, pursuit, and use of Tasers. In addition to, and/or in the alternative to the allegations mentioned above, claimant alleges that Officer Ard exhibited willful, wanton, malicious, and reckless conduct which exceeded the scope of his authority and position so that the sovereign immunity which might otherwise apply to him does not apply.
No comments:
Post a Comment