Friday, February 25, 2000
City to pay $200,000 in fatal shooting
BY DAN HORN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The legal battle over the police shooting of Lorenzo Collins ended Thursday when the city of Cincinnati agreed to pay his family $200,000.
Mr. Collins of Avondale, who had been admitted to the hospital for mental-health treatment, was shot to death in 1997 after 15 armed officers cornered him in a Corryville yard.
Police said he threatened them with a brick and refused to put it down despite repeated orders from the officers.
Mr. Collins' family sued the city in federal court, claiming that police used excessive force and were not adequately trained to handle mentally ill suspects.
The family's attorney, Robert Newman, said the suit was dropped when the city paid $100,000 in damages and another $100,000 in legal costs and attorney fees.
Mr. Newman said most of the settlement money will go to Mr. Collins' three young children.
“It's been a long struggle,” he said. “I'm happy for the family and for the children of Lorenzo Collins, who will have some funds to get on with the rest of their lives.”
Mr. Collins' mother, Doris Floyd, issued a brief statement through her attorney: “I'm very glad it's over with.”
The city's attorney confirmed the settlement but would not discuss details.
Mr. Newman said the family previously had settled claims against University Hospital. Mr. Collins had been admitted to the hospital for mental health care but had run away on the day he was shot.
One of the officers, Douglas Depodesta, also had been named in the suit because he fired the fatal shot. But Mr. Newman said Officer Depodesta was dropped from the lawsuit before the settlement with the city.
The shooting sparked a debate over police tactics and raised questions among some critics about their ability to deal with the mentally ill. Cincinnati City Council later created a citizens panel to review allegations of police misconduct.
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