Thursday, March 28, 2024

Samuel DuBose Family is ‘Not, Nor Should They Be, Happy’ with $5M Settlement

samuel dubose*A wrongful death lawsuit against the University of Cincinnati regarding the death of Samuel DuBose has been settled.

A news release from the school detailed the five-pronged settlement, which includes monetary compensation for DuBose’s family from the school that amounts to $4,850,000 as well as tuition-free UC undergraduate education that covers fees for DuBose’s 12 children valued at about $500,000, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports, adding that the release came out on Monday.

In addition, the agreement will include an eventual on-campus memorial, an apology from UC President Santa J. Ono and an invitation for DuBose’s family to attend and participate in Community Advisory Committee meetings. According to the release, the CAC is noted for being the focal point for community input on comprehensive police reform.

The settlement is the latest development in the situation surrounding the fatal shooting of DuBose by the now-former UC officer, Ray Tensing. The death occurred in July as DuBose started to drive away from a traffic stop near UC’s campus. Since the incident, Tensing has been charged with murder.

At this time, a date for Tensing’s trial has not been set in light of prosecutors and Tensing’s attorney, Stew Mathews, saying they are still resolving discovery issues. Nevertheless, pretrial hearing for the case is scheduled for Feb. 11 before Judge Megan Shanahan.

UC mentioned in the release that the organization will review the results of the external audit of the UC police department.

Weighing in on the settlement, Mark O’Mara, an attorney representing the DuBose family, stated that the family is not happy because no one can bring DuBose back.

“It’s difficult, so very personal to the families. Every one of these families that I’ve been involved with and, more importantly, every one that I’ve known about and talked to in other cases that I’ve been witness (to) the past couple years – every one of them – it could be $50 million, they’re not, nor should they be, happy with it,” O’Mara told the Enquirer. “They’ve lost somebody through a tragedy that was completely avoidable. Now, they’re part of this special group of people that have their black family members killed be cops.”

For DuBose’s sister, Terina DuBose-Allen, the settlement represents a new chapter in their grieving process

“We’re not happy, we’re not satisfied – those aren’t the words,” she said. “The settlement means we’re moving forward and we can heal.”

As for Tensing’s criminal case, O’Mara shared Mathews’ view that UC’s settlement with the DuBose family would not impact the case.

“It would not be relevant to present to a jury that UC settled the civil side of this tragedy,” O’Mara said. “A judge would not allow that in… If I were representing Tensing, I would never allow that to come into court, and I don’t think it will in this case.”

For more on The Enquirer’s story of the UC’s settlement with the DuBose family, click here. To see The Enquirer’s interview with DaShonda Reid, DuBose’s longtime fiancée and mother to four of his children, check out the video below:

 

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

YOU MAY LIKE

SEARCH

- Advertisement -

TRENDING