Family files lawsuit after man dies in CMPD custody

CHARLOTTE — The family of a man who died while in the custody of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department filed a civil lawsuit against the officers involved and the city.

The family of Harold Easter filed suit on claims of wrongful death, negligence, punitive damages and constitutional rights violations.

[PAST COVERAGE: CMPD officers cited in death of man in their custody have resigned, sources say]

They are seeking more than $25,000.

Video from a camera in the holding room showed Easter being brought in and then left mostly by himself, which is a violation of department policy.

Easter’s condition deteriorated for 45 minutes as the cocaine he swallowed during a traffic stop earlier that afternoon poisoned his body.

Eventually, Easter collapsed but it was another 10 minutes before officers found him.

[ALSO READ: Family wants more policy changes after man dies in police custody]

Four officers and a sergeant resigned over what happened.

Policies were changed after Easter’s death.

Channel 9 contacted the police department and Charlotte city officials for a statement on the lawsuit.

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