June 07 2007 - Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Tampa police

Police contend it was self-defense, but the family says officers were wrong to shoot. Now, the family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit for potentially millions of dollars against the City of Tampa and the officers involved.

Police say the man ran a stop sign on Riverhills Drive in May of 2005. They also say he refused to give his real name or his license when asked. When he wouldn't exit the vehicle, two officers attempted to pull him out, while he resisted. The officers then tasered him and then shot him to death - after police say he turned his wheels in their direction trying to run over one of the officers.

In their report, the officers agree that he wasn't attacking or fighting them but he was resisting. His family says it's not true - if he was told to exit the car, he would have.

Now, it will be up to the jury to decide who was at fault... << back

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