Lawyer wants federal probe of why Mississippi police waited months to tell a mom her son was killed
A civil rights attorney says he will ask the U.S. Justice Department to investigate why authorities in Jackson, Mississippi, waited months to tell a woman that her son had been struck and killed by a police SUV driven by an off-duty officer.
HBCU president lauds students, officer for stopping Jacksonville killer before racist store attack
The president of the historically Black institution in Jacksonville, Florida, says a campus security officer tipped off by observant students likely stopped the killer who fatally shot three people at a nearby Dollar General Store from carrying out his racist attack at Edward Waters University.
Lawsuits filed by ex-volleyball player and former football player against Northwestern University
The hazing scandal at Northwestern University has widened to include a volleyball player who has become the first female athlete to sue the university over allegations she was retaliated against for reporting mistreatment and a new lawsuit by former Northwestern quarterback Lloyd Yates.
4 more Northwestern former football players say they experienced โritualized hazingโ after lawsuit filed by other alum
Four more former Northwestern football players came forward on Wednesday to claim they were also subjected to "extreme ritualized sexual" hazing while at the prestigious Big Ten school.
Tyre Nicholsโ family sues Memphis police over beating, death
The family of Tyre Nichols, who died after a brutal beating by five Memphis police officers, sued the officers and the city of Memphis, blaming them for his death and accusing officials of allowing a special unitโs aggressive tactics to go unchecked despite warning signs.
7 deputies, 3 employees charged with 2nd-degree murder after Black man smothered to death at mental hospital
Attorneys for the family of a Black Virginia man who died in law enforcement custody say video of the incident shows seven sheriffโs deputies pushing down โevery part of his bodyโ with โabsolute brutality.โ.
Attorney Ben Crump helps lead litigation against LโOreal USA after claims of hair relaxers being linked to cancer
"We know now that these chemicals are responsible for the tragic number of usersโ reproductive cancer. This litigation will bring justice to these women and their families and hold corporations that put profits over people accountable for their deadly actions," Attorney Crump said.
Attorneys liken Tyre Nicholsโ arrest to Rodney King beating
Attorneys for the family of a Black motorist who died after a violent encounter with Memphis police say officers beat Tyre Nichols for three minutes in a โsavageโ encounter reminiscent of the infamous 1991 police beating of Los Angeles motorist Rodney King.
Condition of Texas teen shot eating hamburger โtouch and goโ
A teen shot by a San Antonio police officer three weeks ago as he put his car in reverse while eating a hamburger is still hospitalized and his condition remains โvery touch and go,โ his father said Tuesday in the familyโs first public comments since the shooting.
Parents of a 29-year-old man who was fatally shot by officer address Houston police chiefโs statement about autopsy results
Attorney Ben Crump and the family of 29-year-old Jalen Randle who was shot and killed by a Houston police officer on April 27 addressed the statement released by Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.
Gag order, diversity discussed at Astroworld court hearing
During a court hearing on lawsuits filed after last yearโs deadly Astroworld music festival, issues related to media publicity and a gag order as well as a concern over a lack diversity among attorneys representing those killed or injured were discussed.
โJustice for Walterโ: Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Rap-A-Lot founder say man shot by bounty hunters was โexecutedโ
Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and Bob Hilliard are representing the family of Walter Hutchins, the man who was shot and killed by bounty hunters in Houstonโs Fifth Ward in late February.
Grandmother who attended Astroworld Festival says she bought โdeath ticketโ
Personal injury attorneys Ben Crump of Ben Crump Law PLLC and Alex Hilliard of Hilliard Martinez Gonzales, LLP held a news conference Friday morning announcing the filing of nearly 100 lawsuits for Astroworld Festival victims.
Attorney Ben Crump, family of George Floyd and other local leaders react to decision to indict former officers involved in Floydโs arrest and death
Attorney Ben Crump, the family of George Floyd, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green held a news conference Saturday morning where they spoke about hope for change in the nation.
Lawyer for George Floydโs family wants to turn attention back to case of Pamela Turner, a Texas woman killed by police in 2019
After former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd, the Associated Press reported that high-profile civil rights attorney Ben Crump wants to redirect national attention to the 2019 death of Pamela Turner, a Black Texas woman killed by a Baytown police officer.
Lawyer shifts legal fight from George Floyd to Pamela Turner
The conviction of former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin on murder and manslaughter charges for pinning George Floyd's neck with his knee was already drawing renewed attention to the legal fight in the death of another Black American, Pamela Turner.
Federal lawsuit to be filed in Pamela Turner death against Baytown, local police, attorney Ben Crump says
Attorney Ben Crump and the family of Pamela Turner will announce Thursday the filing of a federal lawsuit against former Baytown police officer Juan Delacruz and the City of Baytown in the death of Pamela Turner.
Floyd family, leaders hold prayer service on eve of trial
Bystander video of the confrontation is expected to be a key exhibit at trial, with opening statements set for Monday, March 29, 2021. (Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)MINNEAPOLIS โ National civil rights leaders appeared alongside several family members of George Floyd at a prayer service Sunday night, hours before opening statements were set to begin in the murder trial of the former Minneapolis police officer charged in his death. Several dozen attendees congregated in the benches at Greater Friendship Missionary Church, where preachers led worship, a choir sang and members of George Floyd's family were joined by the Rev. The speakers called for justice in George Floyd's death, mirroring the words spoken by leaders during a protest earlier Sunday in downtown Minneapolis. George Floyd, who was Black, was declared dead on May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee on George Floydโs neck for about nine minutes while George Floyd was handcuffed and pleading that he couldnโt breathe.
Lawsuit alleges racial profiling in cellphone confrontation
Keyon Harrold and his son were allegedly racially profiled in an Arlo hotel in Manhattan by Miya Ponsetto in December 2020. Ponsetto wrongly accused Keyon Harrold Jr. of stealing her phone and physically attacking him. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)NEW YORK โ The family of a Black teenager who was falsely accused of stealing a woman's cellphone in a New York City hotel last December filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging that the woman and the hotel engaged in racial profiling. A video of Ponsettoโs confrontation with the then-14-year-old was recorded and posted online by his father, jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold. AdโDefendants treated Plaintiffs differently from other guests and invitees in a place of public accommodation because of their race,โ the lawsuit states.
โMy baby didnโt deserve to be shotโ: Mother of 1-year-old boy hit by Houston police gunfire speaks
HOUSTON โ The mother of a 1-year-old boy hit by gunfire from a Houston police officer who was shooting at a robber earlier this month spoke about the incident for the first time Tuesday. According to police, the robber jumped out of a vehicle and into another vehicle where a woman was pumping gas. Police said they spotted a weapon as they moved in on the man and a 15-year veteran of the Houston Police Department opened fire, killing him. Police said that a 1-year-old who was in the back seat of the vehicle at the gas pump was hit by gunfire. Crump said Legend was hit in the head by a bullet and not grazed as police have described.
In Louisville, Breonna Taylorโs family honors her legacy
(AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)(AP) โ On the one-year anniversary of Breonna Taylor's death, the slain Black woman's family continued their call for justice as hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Louisville on Saturday. In a tweet Saturday, President Joe Biden called Taylor's death โa tragedy, a blow to her family, her community, and America." Police had a no-knock warrant but said they knocked and announced their presence before entering Taylorโs apartment, a claim some witnesses have disputed. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, tweeted a statement in support of Taylor's family, including her mother, Tamika Palmer. โToday we remember Breonna Taylor, her tragic and unnecessary loss and the immense work we have ahead of us,โ he said.
City of Minneapolis reaches $27M settlement with George Floydโs family
MINNEAPOLIS โ The city of Minneapolis on Friday agreed to pay $27 million to settle a civil lawsuit from George Floydโs family over the Black manโs death in police custody, as jury selection continued in a former officerโs murder trial. Floyd family attorney Ben Crump called it the largest pretrial settlement ever for a civil rights claim, and thanked city leaders for โshowing you care about George Floyd.โโItโs going to be a long journey to justice. โI just want you to know how deeply we are with you,โ she said to Floydโs family members. Floydโs family filed the federal civil rights lawsuit in July against the city, Chauvin and three other fired officers charged in his death. It alleged the officers violated Floydโs rights when they restrained him, and that the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism and impunity to flourish in its police force.
Negative impression of Derek Chauvin gets another juror tossed
FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2021 file photo, A mural of George Floyd is seen in George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. Floydโs death sparked sometimes violent protests in Minneapolis and beyond and led to a national reckoning on racial justice. โI just want you to know how deeply we are with you,โ she said to Floyd's family members. Floydโs family filed the federal civil rights lawsuit in July against the city, Chauvin and three other fired officers charged in his death. ___Find APโs full coverage of the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd
Attorney Ben Crump, George Floydโs brother, and others march for justice for Black man killed in Texas
LA MARQUE, Texas โ Itโs been a month since Joshua Feast was shot and killed in La Marque, Texas. On Saturday, Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump, the NAACP, George Floydโs brother, Pamela Turnerโs sister and Danny Thomas marched with people in the La Marque community. Feast was shot and killed by La Marque police officer Jose Santos on Dec. 9. Crump said too many black men are shot while running away. People in the La Marque community say theyโre making sure Joshuaโs name and legacy live on.
Activists seek laws after officer cleared in Blake shooting
A police officer shot Blake in the back multiple times after responding to a domestic dispute on Aug. 23, 2020. On Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, a Wisconsin prosecutor declined to file criminal charges against the officer who shot Blake. After the Aug. 23 shooting that left Blake paralyzed, the decision on whether to charge Rusten Sheskey came down to a familiar question: Was the Kenosha officer justified in using force to protect himself? Those included requiring body cameras and dashcams, a standard protocol for independent investigations and an easy-to-access database of disciplinary actions. The city had planned to acquire body cameras in 2022, but after Blake's shooting, that timetable was sped up to put the cameras in use this year.
March planned to protest fatal officer-involved shooting of Joshua Feast in La Marque
HOUSTON โ A march for justice is planned in La Marque Saturday morning for Joshua Feast, the black man shot and killed by a police officer on Dec 9. The group will walk nine minutes to the La Marque Police Department on Bayou Road. Feastโs family and the community plan to call for the firing of Officer Santos as well as the resignation of the police chief. Bodycam video released Dec. 21 shows La Marque Police Officer Jose Santos shooting at Feast while he runs away. ORIGINAL STORY: 22-year-old man fatally shot by La Marque police officer, department saysAuthorities said Feast had felony warrants out for his arrest at the time and was a person of interest in recent drive-by shootings.
Attorney Ben Crump renews call for La Marque officerโs firing, body camera footage following independent autopsy in fatal shooting of Joshua Feast
HOUSTON โ Civil rights attorney Ben Crump renewed his call for the release of body camera footage in the death of Joshua Feast following the results of an independent autopsy announced Thursday. Crump has previously called for the firing of a La Marque police officer who has been involved in two fatal shootings. Officer Jose Santos was identified as the officer who shot and killed Joshua Feast during an encounter Dec. 9. Investigators said Feast got out of a vehicle and ran across the street into a driveway when Santos opened fire. A visitation and funeral are being held Friday at New Life Church of Texas from 9 a.m. โ 12:45 p.m. at 2801 Palmer Highway in Texas City.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump demands release of video, firing of officer in fatal shooting of Joshua Feast
LA MARQUE, Texas โ Civil rights attorney Ben Crump called for the firing of a La Marque police officer who has been involved in two fatal shootings. Office Jose Santos was identified as the officer who shot and killed Joshua Feast during an encounter Dec. 9. Investigators said Feast got out of a vehicle and ran across the street into a driveway when Santos opened fire. (KPRC)Authorities said they are investigating the shooting and that all La Marque police officers wear body cameras. Feastโs death was the second fatal shooting in which Santos has been involved.
In despair, protesters take to streets for Breonna Taylor
Many turned to the streets โ as they did in several U.S. cities โ to call for reforms to combat racist policing. โIf we canโt get justice for Breonna Taylor, can we get justice for anybody?โHe was angry that police in riot gear were out in force when protesters had been peaceful as they streamed through the streets of downtown Louisville past a nighttime curfew. Demonstrators also gathered in places like Philadelphia and New York, a day after violence marred some protests, including a shooting that wounded two Louisville officers. Taylor, a Black woman who was an emergency medical worker, was shot multiple times by white officers after Taylorโs boyfriend fired at them, authorities said. Officials have banned no-knock warrants and hired a Black woman as the permanent police chief โ a first for the city.
Protesters take to the streets in Louisville after indictment in Breonna Taylor case
Ben Crump, a lawyer for Taylor's family, denounced the decision as โoutrageous and offensive,โ and protesters shouting, โNo justice, no peace!โ immediately marched through the streets. Taylor, an emergency medical worker, was shot multiple times by white officers who entered her home during a narcotics investigation. State Attorney General Daniel Cameron said that while the officers had a no-knock warrant, the investigation showed they announced themselves before entering. "This justification bars us from pursuing criminal charges in Miss Breonna Taylorโs death.โCameron said an FBI crime lab determined that Cosgrove fired the bullet that killed Taylor. ___This story has been updated to clarify that, according to the investigation, officers did not execute the warrant as a no-knock warrant, not that they didnโt use a no-knock warrant.
Attorney Ben Crump applauds Harris County DA, says team will keep working until Pamela Turner gets justice
HOUSTON โ Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and the family of Pamela Turner held a news conference Thursday to address the indictment of the officer involved in Turnerโs death. Baytown police Officer Juan Delacruz turned himself into police custody Tuesday following the indictment. Prior to the news conference, Crump released a statement that said:โLike Breonna Taylor, Pamela Turner was unjustly targeted and killed by police and had her name sullied by law enforcement in an attempted cover-up. Devon Jacob, another noted civil rights attorney and former police officer, said Delacruz used excessive force on Turner. It is my personal mission to make sure that Officer Delacruz is held accountable for his objectively unreasonable force.โDelacruzโs first appearance is set for Oct. 28.
Police reforms in Breonna Taylor case praised, scrutinized
Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother, in white beside Attorney Ben Crump, left, speak in Louisville, Ky., after settlement was announced. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan)LOUISVILLE, Ky. โ A settlement between the family of Breonna Taylor and the city of Louisville could bring wide-ranging reforms to how police officers live and work, changes that would represent a rare outcome in a police misconduct lawsuit. And a legal expert noted that even the most wide-ranging of reforms won't succeed if the people entrusted with implementing them aren't onboard. The city of Louisville passed a new law earlier this year, named after Taylor, that bans the use of no-knock warrants. Tamika Mallory is among numerous activists in Louisville who say police reforms will be meaningless if the officers involved in Taylor's death aren't charged.
Absent details, police shooting narratives seek to distract
Authorities have been reluctant to release even the most basic information about the incident or details about the white officer who shot Blake seven times in the back. They shot my son seven times seven times, like he didnt matter, Blakes father, Jacob Blake Sr., said. In 2014, for example, a union spokesman rushed to the scene where a white Chicago officer fatally shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. As for the shooting itself, authorities, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation, have raised far more questions than they've answered. Instead, he said a knife was found after the shooting on the drivers side floorboard of the SUV.
Floyd family sues Minneapolis officers charged in his death
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump wears a face mask with the words "Where's the love?" after announcing Wednesday, July 15, 2020 in Minneapolis the filing of a civil lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and the officers involved in the death of George Floyd. Floyd died at the hands of police during an arrest on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Floyd family to announce lawsuit against Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS Attorneys for George Floyd's family plan to announce a lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Minneapolis and the police officers who are charged in his death. Attorney Ben Crump planned a late-morning news conference in Minneapolis to detail the lawsuit. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Floyd's death also sparked calls to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a new public safety department. According to documents in state probate court, Floyd is survived by 11 known heirs, including five children and six siblings.
George Floyds brother, Houston police chief to testify during congressional hearing on police brutality
WASHINGTON A day after the funeral of George Floyd was held in Houston, one of his brothers is set to appear before a congressional committee. Philonise Floyd, one of the brothers of George Floyd, is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committees hearing on police brutality. George Floyd, who grew up in Houstons Third Ward, died while being detained by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Memorial Day. Video showed a police officer kneeling on George Floyds neck for nearly 9 minutes while he pleaded for air. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.Click2Houston.com plans to offer a livestream of the event.
Just hurts a lot': George Floyds brothers, Rev. Al Sharpton, Ben Crump and families of other victims give emotional speeches at public memorial
Al Sharpton and Attorney Ben Crump joined the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Botham Jean, Eric Garner and others Monday evening outside the public memorial of George Floyd to address mourners. Just being here, just talking, said Philonise Floyd. If (George Floyd) was told he would have to sacrifice his life to bring the world together, knowing him, I know he would have did it," said Rodney Floyd. Derek Chauvin was not the one who killed George Floyd, Romanucci said. That is who killed George Floyd.
Protests turn subdued after new charges in Floyd case
The most serious new charge Wednesday was an accusation of second-degree murder against Derek Chauvin, who was caught on video pressing his knee to Floyds neck. The three other officers at the scene were charged for the first time with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Protests were still big, but largely peaceful in California, where NBA stars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson marched with protesters in Oakland. The new second-degree murder charge alleges that Chauvin caused Floyds death without intent while committing another felony, namely third-degree assault. The protests have also taken root overseas, including in Athens, London, Helsinki, Rotterdam and Bogota, among other cities.
AP: Minnesota AG to upgrade murder charge against officer in Floyd case, 3 other officers involved charged
The officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired May 26 and initially charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The three other officers involved were also fired but were not immediately charged. The officer, Derek Chauvin, has been fired and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers who were present were also fired but have not been charged in Floyds May 25 death. Family attorney Ben Crump repeated his call for all four officers to be charged in Floyds death.
Joe Biden to attend George Floyds funeral in Houston, family attorney says
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks to a supporters in Dallas the night before Super Tuesday. Cooper Neill for The Texas TribuneHOUSTON Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden plans to attend the funeral for George Floyd in Houston next week, Floyds family attorney Ben Crump said Tuesday in an interview posted on Facebook. Crump announced memorial services for Floyd in Minneapolis on Thursday, North Carolina on Saturday and in Houston on Monday. "We understand Vice President Biden will be in attendance," he said, of the Monday funeral services. Biden spoke on the phone last week with Floyd's family, as did President Donald Trump.
Family autopsy: Floyd asphyxiated by sustained pressure
The familys autopsy differs from the official autopsy as described in a criminal complaint against the officer. The official autopsy last week provided no other details about intoxicants, and toxicology results can take weeks. Floyds family, like the families of other black men killed by police, wanted an independent look because they didnt trust local authorities to produce an unbiased autopsy. The family's autopsy was conducted by Michael Baden and Allecia Wilson. Before he knelt on Floyd's neck, Derek Chauvin was the subject of 18 prior complaints filed against him with the Minneapolis Police Department's Internal Affairs.