Photo courtesy of North Charleston Police.
The family of Jamal Sutherland agreed to a $10 million settlement in their civil lawsuit against Charleston County. Sutherland was just 31-years-old when he died
in police custody at the Al Cannon Detention Center on January 5 in Charleston, S.C.Sutherland was mentally ill and suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
During his detainment, the man was repeatedly tased, pepper-sprayed and later suffocated by a spit mask while in handcuffs. Sgt. Lindsay Fickett and Deputy Brian Houle were fired, and footage of the killing captured Sutherland saying, “I can’t breathe.”
The deputies also admitted to repeatedly tasing him more than six times. Deputies and paramedics tried to revive him, but he remained limp.
“I can’t breathe.” — Jamal Sutherland.
***Warning. Graphic footage***
On the evening of May 25, the Charleston County Council voted to pass the $10 million settlement and announced it on Facebook the following day. The decision was unanimous.
“On Tuesday, May 25, Charleston County Council approved a global settlement in the amount of $10 million with the family of Jamal Sutherland following his death while in custody at the Al Cannon Detention Center on January 5,” they wrote. “This resolution is the result of extensive negotiations led by Charleston County Attorney Natalie Ham with the Sutherland family’s legal counsel.”
A criminal investigation into Fickett and Houle on the night of Sutherland’s death is still open.
Sutherland’s mother, Amy Sutherland, said that she hoped for peace in the community and requested that officials do the right thing while investigating her son’s death. Councilman Teddie Pryor met with the Sutherland family last week. He said he was heartbroken for the family.
“We know that no amount of money will bring their loved one back, but I think this starts the healing process,” he said. “We want to start the healing process but that can’t start until we start facing the truth and facing what’s going on.”
The family also released a statement.
“Justice for Jamal will come in many forms. We are pleased to have negotiated a settlement with the government entities that provides the type of civil justice he deserves, but our work is not yet done. With God’s help, we will continue the necessary conversations with local, state, and federal leaders to ensure that everyone affected by mental illness is treated with the same dignity and respect we all deserve and demand. As we move forward, please continue to pray for our family, our community, each other, and justice for Jamal.”