Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against City of Danville Alleges Police Brutality
The family of a man that died in an accidental shooting incident involving the Danville police is suing the city and the police officer involved. Aaron Moss, 27, was killed in 2006 after Officer Troy Wasson shot him twice during a foot pursuit.
The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Urbana, alleges excessive force and wrongful death. Moss’s family is asking for over $1 million in damages and accuses Wasson of acting “maliciously, willfully, and wantonly” in Moss’s death.
The complaint reports that on May 30, 2006, Moss and another man had just ended an argument when the police arrived. Moss fled from the scene and was chased by Danville police.
Office Wasson allegedly pulled out a taser, but when he encountered Moss, he shot him in the arm and the back with a gun. The lawsuit claims that Moss was not armed and that Officer Wasson told a woman who offered to perform CPR on Moss to go away.
A sheriff’s department investigation, however, claims that Moss had a loaded gun. The police probe determined that Wasson was not at fault and absolved him of doing anything wrong.
Justice Department Statistics that from 2001 to 2007, there was an increase in the number of reported incidents involving the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers compared to the seven years prior. Many police brutality cases were reportedly not prosecuted.
Examples of police brutality include:
• Brutal chokings
• Unjustified shootings
• Beatings
• Sexual assault
• Verbal violence
Family sues city, police officer, Commercial-News, July 10, 2008
Related Web Resources:
Shielded from Justice, HRW.org
