Michael Brown’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Ferguson. The Brown family is seeking $75,000 in damages and attorney fees, according to lawyer Benjamin Crump. The parents of Michael Brown engaged in a news conference from the steps of the St. Louis County Courthouse moments after the Ferguson wrongful death suit was filed.
Lesley McSpadden, the mother of Michael Brown, wore a red hoodie emblazoned with her son’s image during the Ferguson wrongful death lawsuit press conference. As previously reported by the Inquisitr , Michael Brown’s mom may face felony armed robbery charges. Lesley McSpadden was accused of enlisting a group of people to “beat” another group of people who were selling Michael Brown T-shirts in Ferguson.
One Michael Brown T-shirt seller was allegedly beaten badly enough to require hospitalization, and another seller was allegedly beaten with a pipe. Lesley McSpadden and about 30 people allegedly drove up to a group of Michael Brown T-shirt vendors and “rushed” them. One of alleged victims was reportedly the teenager’s grandmother, and McSpadden’s former mother-in-law, Pearlie Gordon. Michael Brown’s mom said as follows.
“You can’t sell this s**t,” according to Ferguson witness statements in a police report. Pearlie Gordon allegedly refused to back down from the Lesley McSpadden group. “Unless McSpadden could produce she had a patent on her son’s name, Gordo was going to continue to sell her merchandise,” the police report also added. Ferguson police officers also reported that approximately $400 in cash and more than $1,500 in Michael Brown merchandise was allegedly stolen by Lesley McSpadden and her group.
Michael Brown Sr. was reportedly wearing a hoodie that said, “Michael Brown chosen for change,” during the press conference. Michael Brown Sr. did not speak during the media meeting after the Ferguson wrongful death lawsuit was filed and instead allowed family attorneys Anthony Gray and Crump to interact with reporters.
Even though Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson was cleared of any wrongdoing in the Michael Brown shooting , the Brown family still feels the wrongful death lawsuit has merit.
“Wilson unjustifiably shot and killed [Brown], using an unnecessary and unreasonable amount [of] force in violation of [Brown’s] constitutionally guaranteed right to life,” the city of Ferguson wrongful death lawsuit states.
The Michael Brown wrongful death lawsuit also accuses former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson of “destroying evidence and interfering with the investigation,” and claims former police supervisor, Wilson’s fiancée, “turned a blind eye by washing blood off his hands.”
The Michael Brown wrongful death lawsuit disputes the shooting investigation findings. The lawsuit also reportedly “states as fact” that Michael Brown had his hands up in a surrender pose when Darren Wilson shot him.
“The standard police narrative is contradicted by the evidence,” attorney Gray said. “There were other alternatives available to Wilson. He did not have to kill Michael Brown.”
What do you think about the Michael Brown wrongful death lawsuit?
[Image via: Robert Cohen-Pool/Getty Images]