On Friday, a jury in the wrongful death civil trial of Korryn Gaines awarded her family a whopping $37 million.
According to CBS-Baltimore News, the all-female jury found that the first shot Baltimore County Cpl. Royce Ruby fired at Gaines was not objectively reasonable.
Gainesâ family attorney, J. Wyndal Gordon, stressed that the police used excessive force and illegally entered her apartment.
As we previously reported, Gaines was killed in a 6-hour standoff between her and Baltimore County police last year after they issued a warrant for her arrest over a traffic stop and resisting arrest. Gaines, 23, was armed with a shotgun and had her 5-year-old son Kodi with her as she exchanged gunfire with the police.
The police eventually kicked down her door and shot her to death. Kodi was also shot in the arm.
âWeâre ecstatic,â Gordon said on the steps of the courthouse.
âThis was a long journey to justice. A lot of hard work. A lot of sleepless nights⦠the jury did their work, they came up with a verdict that they believe was fair. They came up with an award that they felt was just. And we donât have anything else to ask.â
Gainesâ son will receive $32 million of the $37 million. However, for her family, this is all bittersweet.
âMy daughter will never be back, I donât care how many dollars they give us â $38, $108 million, I couldnât get my daughter back if I begged for it,â said Korrynâs mother, Rhanda Doremus said.
She also stressed that she wants for Officer Ruby to be fired.
âThis guy knowingly assassinated my daughter and injured my grandson,â said Doremus.
The city has a different opinion about what happened. Baltimore County Attorney Mike Field issued the following statement about the verdict.
âA mother died, a child was unintentionally injured, and police officers were placed in mortal danger. By any account, this was a tragic situation. The County is disappointed with the verdict and is reviewing all of its options, including an appeal.â
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