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.
#BreakingNews:
— Allison Latos (@AllisonWSOC9) January 21, 2022
Family of Harold Easter, the man who died while in @CMPD custody, has filed this civil lawsuit against the officers involved & @CLTgov.
Previous @wsoctv coverage:https://t.co/cMDN4jGReG pic.twitter.com/6MYwxP9n83
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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