Maryland Family Awarded $20M In Police Killing Of Handcuffed Black Man
On Monday (Sept. 28), a Prince George County, Maryland official stated that the family of William Green, the handcuffed Black man who was a victim of a police killing on January 27 in Temple Hills, has been awarded $20 million.
Earlier this year, PG County police officer Michael Owen Jr, a 10-year veteran, fired six shots at Green, 43, while handcuffed and unarmed after responding to a call of a male driver who’d struck multiple cars; apparently under the influence of an unknown substance. Cpl. Owen Jr was subsequently arrested on multiple charges including second-degree murder, with a trial scheduled next year.
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While announcing the financial settlement, PG County Executive Angela Alsobrooks stated, “This settlement in no way makes up for the loss experienced by Mr. Green’s mother, children and family. However, when we are wrong, and we need to take responsibility, we will. When we need to make reforms in our police department, we will; and in circumstances where we must defend our department, we will.“
Responding to the settlement, niece, Nikki Owens, says the family plans to use some of the money to set up a foundation in Green’s name. “This does nothing for us but close this chapter and allows us to move on to what is next.”
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