NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The authorized workforce for Richard “Randy” Cox and the Metropolis of New Haven agreed to pursue settlement negotiations in a $100 million civil case, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker introduced Monday.
Officers arrested Cox, 36, on June 19 on a weapons cost, which was later dropped, and positioned him inside a police van with no seatbelts. When the van stops abruptly, physique digital camera footage exhibits Cox being launched headfirst towards the entrance of the van’s holding space, smashing his head into the wall.
Regardless of begging for assist, Cox didn’t obtain quick medical help. Officers then dragged him throughout the ground and positioned him right into a cell. The incident left him paralyzed from the chest down.
In September, Cox’s household filed a $100 million lawsuit in opposition to the Metropolis of New Haven and the 5 officers concerned within the incident, accusing them of negligence, use of extreme power, denial of medical remedy and the intentional infliction of emotional misery.
Elicker launched the next assertion Monday relating to the doable settlement negotiations, which his workplace mentioned was formalized on Dec. 2 in a joint authorized submitting, often called the Rule 26(f) report:
I’m happy that Randy’s attorneys and the Metropolis have agreed to pursue early settlement discussions in direction of a good and simply decision of this case. I’m additionally glad that we have now collectively agreed to a clearly outlined case administration plan that outlines each quick subsequent steps and an total timeline on all associated points of this case.
This settlement displays the Metropolis’s ongoing want to achieve an early, cheap settlement with Randy, and to have interaction in good religion settlement discussions as quickly as each events have enough info for them to start. It additionally gives for long-term contingency planning, that every facet has agreed upon, this case ought to go to trial.
I’m inspired by this progress and am assured all of us will proceed to work in a collaborative method to make sure that justice is finally served.
New Haven Main Justin Elicker
The Rule 26(f) report outlines an agreed-upon case administration plan that additionally contains an agreed-upon discovery schedule and an agreed-upon trial schedule set to start by Dec. 15, 2024, ought to a trial change into vital.
“There’s been some statements about how the town and the mayor can simply resolve this,” Elicker mentioned. “There are three different insurance coverage firms which might be concerned on this. We’re required, as part of our contract with them, simply as anybody who has automobile insurance coverage is required, to work with these insurance coverage firms.”
Officer Oscar Diaz, Officer Ronald Pressley, Officer Jocelyn Lavandier, and Officer Luis Rivera -who have all been on administrative depart since late June -were formally charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and cruelty, each misdemeanors, in November. Every was processed and posted a $25,000 bond. They’re due again in courtroom on Dec. 8.
The inner affairs investigation led by the town will now resume and decide if the officers will likely be fired from the New Haven Police Division.
The Cox household legal professional informed Information 8 the negotiations haven’t began, however the events will possible start discussions within the close to future.
It is a creating story. Test again for updates.