Crime & Safety
Family Of Black Man Killed By GA Trooper Intends To Sue State
The family of Julian Lewis, the 60-year-old who was shot in the head by State Trooper Jacob Thompson, is seeking $13 million.
SCREVEN COUNTY, GA — The family of a Georgia man shot and killed by a state trooper earlier this year is seeking $13 million for his death. Attorneys for the family of Julian Lewis have given the state of Georgia 30 days of notice to respond to an intent to sue and meet specific demands before moving forward with a lawsuit, they said during a Monday news conference in Savannah.
They are seeking the $1 million from the state in damages, the maximum allowed, and an additional $12 million in a separate civil rights suit expected to be filed in federal court, according to media reports.
Lewis, a Black man, was shot in the head by State Trooper Jacob Thompson, who is white, on Aug. 7 after a brief, low-speed police chase on Stoney Pond Road in Screven County, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and others have reported. Officials with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations said Thompson gave inconsistent statements on what unfolded just before the shooting.
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Thompson claimed he shot the 60-year-old Lewis while he thought Lewis was about to run him over, but GBI agents have said that is impossible since the car had already been in a ditch, struck a tree and was disabled after Thompson performed a PIT maneuver.
The GBI said Lewis did not stop after Thompson tried to pull him over for a broken taillight, according to the AP. Thompson has since been fired and faces a felony murder charge in connection with Lewis' death.
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Lawyers are preparing the lawsuits on behalf of Lewis' widow, Betty and son, Brook Bacon.
“Mrs. Lewis was very clear today that this isn’t about money,” Attorney Francys Johnson said. “This is the system. The system says when a life is taken, whether it’s law enforcement or not, there has to be an accounting.”
Betty Lewis said justice "will be served" during Monday's news conference, WRDW-TV reported.
“The money will not bring my husband back,” she said. “No amount of money will bring him back.
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