The city of New Haven, Connecticut, has agreed to pay Randy Cox $45 million to settle a police misconduct claim after the Black man became paralyzed while detained and being taken in the back of a police van without a seatbelt.
According to The Associated Press, Mayor Justin Elicker and Cox’s attorneys announced the deal after the victim filed a $100 million lawsuit against the city and the cops involved in the event. His attorneys also stated that the compensation was the largest ever for police misconduct.
The announcement was also made two days after two police officers involved in the incident were terminated. The officers were accused of handling Cox in a reckless manner and without compassion.
“The city’s mistakes have been well documented,” Cox’s attorneys said in a statement. “But today is a moment to look to the future, so New Haven residents can have confidence in their city and their police department.”
On June 19, 2022, Cox was being taken in the back of a police van when he became paralyzed below the chest after the vehicle braked hard. As a result of the crash, the 36-year-old, who was in handcuffs at the time, slammed his head against a metal divider. Officers had arrested Cox on suspicion of threatening a woman with a gun, but the charges were later dropped.
“I can’t move. I’m going to die like this. Please, please, please help me,” a police video recorded Cox saying after the crash. Despite Cox’s plea for help, surveillance and body-worn camera footage showed the officers allegedly making fun of him after they arrived at the police station.