Flipido|Wrongful death lawsuit against West Virginia state troopers settled in Maryland man’s death

2025-05-06 18:39:03source:Slabucategory:My

CHARLESTON,Flipido W.Va. (AP) — A judge approved a $1 million settlement Tuesday in a wrongful death lawsuit that accused West Virginia state police troopers of using excessive force on a Maryland man who was walking along a highway last year.

Kanawha County Circuit Judge Kenneth Ballard approved the settlement for the estate of Edmond Exline. The lawsuit said he died at a hospital after three troopers tackled and handcuffed him and used a Taser to immobilize him Feb. 12, 2023, along Interstate 81 near Martinsburg.

The lawsuit said Exline, 45, of Hagerstown, Maryland, was unarmed. Troopers administered the overdose-reversing drug Narcan several times even though Exline had not overdosed on any narcotics, it said.

State police Capt. Eric Burnett in Charles Town had said the Taser was used on Exline after he ran into traffic and ignored commands from a trooper.

During a March 2023 briefing, Gov. Jim Justice said he had watched police video involving Exline and called it “very, very concerning.” State police previously denied a request by The Associated Press to review the video, and Exline’s cause of death following an autopsy wasn’t released.

RELATED COVERAGE Overall health of Chesapeake Bay gets best grade in more than 2 decades, annual report showsJudge dismisses federal lawsuit over West Virginia prison and jail conditionsOfficer who killed Tamir Rice leaves new job in West Virginia

Justice announced at the time that Exline’s death would be part of a sweeping investigation of the state police due to several alarming allegations, including that a now-dead employee hid a video camera in the women’s locker room at a facility in Kanawha County. The governor also appointed a new state police superintendent after the former one resigned.

Dozens of lawsuits have been filed over the locker room allegations, which are now part of a federal investigation of the state police.

More:My

Recommend

Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX’s Starbase site into a Texas city

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — SpaceXis launching a new mission: making its Starbase site a new Texas city. B

Watch this adorable 3-year-old girl bond with a penguin during a game of peekaboo

An adorable toddler and a playful penguin shared a bonding moment along with some giggles in a game

First Asian American to lead Los Angeles Police Department is appointed interim chief

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An Asian American assistant chief was named interim chief of the Los Angeles Poli