Killmer Lane obtains historic $3.2 million settlement for the family of Jeffrey Melvin against the City of Colorado Springs.

The City of Colorado Springs has agreed to pay $3.2 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Killmer Lane on behalf of the family of Jeffrey Melvin. This marks the largest police misconduct settlement in the city’s history, and comes after a seven year battle for justice for Mr. Melvin’s death at the hands of Colorado Springs police.

On April 26, 2018, Colorado Springs Police Department (“CSPD”) Officers Daniel Patterson and Joshua Archer killed Jeffrey Melvin, a 27-year-old Black man. The officers met Mr. Melvin when they were responding to a reported disturbance at an apartment, unrelated to Mr. Melvin; he was merely a visitor who arrived after the police were at the apartment. Mr. Melvin was unarmed, posed no threat to the officers, and they had no cause to suspect him of any crime. Even so, the officers immediately grabbed him, wrestled with him, pepper sprayed him in the face, and deployed a Taser on him up to 8 times in 90 seconds, causing his death.

Darold Killmer, attorney for the Melvin Family, said “Seven years is a painfully long time to wait for justice in the wake of such a tragedy.  The Melvin family has bravely fought this fight; it has been my firm’s privilege to represent them. This settlement will provide opportunities for Jeff Melvin’s kids in honor of their father’s memory.”

Jeffrey Melvin, Sr., Mr. Melvin’s father, said “No amount of money will bring my son back home to us, but I am glad that Colorado Springs finally came to the table and agreed to settle the case and recognize the tragedy they inflicted on our family, especially Jeff’s kids. Our family was devastated. The City needs to make serious changes.”

The Melvin family was represented by Killmer Lane Partners Darold Killmer, Liana Orshan, and Reid Allison.

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