Luke Broadwater
The Baltimore Sun
BALTIMORE — Baltimore officials plan to authorize $280,000 in payments to settle three different lawsuits alleging police misconduct.
On Wednesday, the Board of Estimates, which is controlled by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, is expected to approve the settlements.
The largest — a payment of $150,000 — is proposed to address claims brought by David Yim, who alleges Baltimore police assaulted him and violated his rights on April 10, 2012. An officer shot Yim in the abdomen while Yim held a large butcher’s knife, before arresting him in the 1200 block of Oakhurst Place in the Winchester neighborhood, according to the city. City officials said Yim suffers from mental illness.
Yim, who was treated at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, sued, seeking $600,000 in damages.
The State’s Attorney’s Office cleared the officer, Fred Murray, of any wrongdoing in the shooting.
The city also plans to pay $70,000 to settle a suit brought by Duncan Smith alleging he was falsely arrested on Oct. 10, 2011 outside the Taste Lounge in Curtis Bay. Two police officers — Jose Boscana and James Brooks — were attempting to clear the crowd at closing time and got into an altercation with Smith. Smith said he was “struck in the head” with a baton repeatedly for “no reason,” according to city documents. The officers argued that Smith struck an officer while he was attempting to make an arrest.
Smith was treated at Harbor Hospital and sued for $900,000.
The third settlement — a payment of $60,000 — involves allegations brought by Kevin Gray, who accuses four officers of battery and false arrest on Nov. 13, 2012. Gray was driving in the 4500 block of Harford Road in Lauraville when police stopped him for having a covered license plate, the city said. Officers searched the car for drugs, and then conducted an “invasive search” of Gray’s body, but found nothing. He was then released, officials said.
Gray sued for $1.4 million.
Baltimore has paid out more than $12 million since 2010 to settle suits alleging wrongdoing by police.
Copyright 2015 The Baltimore Sun