New York City

NYC to Pay $1.25M to Family of Man Who Died in NYPD Custody

The family of a man who died in police custody will receive $1.25 million in a settlement with New York City.

Court papers show that city officials reached the deal with Ron Singleton's mother, who sued after her son's July 2014 death, The Daily News reports

The lawsuit claims Singleton was high on PCP and acting erratically when officers placed him in a so-called protective body wrap. It says officers kept the father of three face down in the wrap despite requests from emergency technicians who wanted to turn him over to examine him. 

A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide caused partly by the restraint "during excited delirium." He also had heart disease and was obese.

City lawyers say the settlement was in everyone's best interest.

Singleton's death came four days before Eric Garner died on Staten Island after an officer placed him in a chokehold. The 43-year-old asthmatic father of six could be heard on an amateur video shouting "I can't breathe!" as an officer placed him in a chokehold during an arrest on suspicion of selling untaxed cigarettes. 

Copyright The Associated Press
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