In a tragic police shooting that’s made national headlines, Danroy Sr. and Angella Henry are suing New York police officer Aaron Hess and the village of Pleasantville where he works for their son’s wrongful death. Hess shot and killed Danroy DJ” Henry last October outside a bar at a shopping center in New York last year.
The Henry family is from Easton, Massachusetts. If you’ll recall, our Boston injury lawyers reported on this case earlier this year. At the time, Henry’s parents had filed a wrongful death claim saying that they intended to file a $120 million lawsuit. They said their son was murdered.
The shooting happened October 17, 2010 when a police officer encountered unruly patrons outside Finnegan’s Grill. He called for backup and about 50 cops arrived at the scene.
According to police, an auto driven by Henry accelerated and struck a cop with its mirror. The officer, who ended up on the hood of the vehicle, then shot at the driver. When the vehicle kept moving, another cop shot at the car.
Some witnesses, however-including those who were riding in Henry’s car at the time-say that the reason he was driving away was because one of the police officers ordered him to leave the fire lane. They say that the officer on the hood started shooting at Henry before he could slow down the car.
Earlier this year, a grand jury refused to indict Hess in Henry’s death. Hess recently was given an award by the Pleasantville Police Benevolent Association over his handling of what the union described as “this ordeal.”‘
Danroy Henry Sr. told CNN that he believed the grand jury was presented faulty evidence. In the Henrys’ wrongful death lawsuit, they claim that Hess exhibited a “reckless disregard for human life.” They also contend that their son’s civil rights were violated. The Henry’s are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
If the jury finds that Hess used excessive force when apprehending the 20-year-old Pace University football player, they would then award a wrongful death verdict to his parents. The outcome of this case is unrelated to whether or not criminal charges were filed against Hess.
Family of slain student files lawsuit, Boston, April 21, 2011
Parents of gunned-down student file wrongful death suit, CNN, April 20, 2011
Related Web Resources:
Wrongful Death Claims, Nolo
Wrongful Death, Justia
More Blog Posts:
Massachusetts Student’s Family to File $120M Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Fatal Police Shooting, Boston Injury Lawyers Blog, January 17, 2011
Massachusetts Man Files Lawsuit Alleging Springfield Police Brutality, Boston Injury Lawyers Blog, January 3, 2011
Boston Personal Injury Lawsuit Accuses Police Motorcyclist of Assault and Battery in ’07 Marathon Pedestrian Accident, Boston Injury Lawyers Blog, February 15, 2011
Our Boston injury lawyers handle Massachusetts wrongful death cases like this one involving police brutality and excessive use of force.