After the City of Jackson revealed details of a settlement intended for the family of George Robinson, his sister, Bettersten Wade, has opted to reject the agreement, citing a breach of confidentiality.
Robinson died in January 2019, days after being forcibly removed from a car by three Jackson police officers who were searching for a murder suspect.
The Jackson City Council recently approved a payment of $17,786 to settle the lawsuit filed by Robinson’s relatives in October 2019.
However, city documents clarified that the settlement did not imply any admission of liability by the city or the officers involved. Robinson, who was Black, was subjected to the incident by three officers of the same race.
The decision to reject the settlement stemmed from the city’s public disclosure of the settlement amount, a move that contradicted a confidentiality agreement between the parties involved.
Dennis Sweet III, Wade’s attorney, released a statement asserting that the breach of confidentiality and the city’s perceived claim of victory prompted Wade to continue pursuing legal action against Jackson.
Robinson’s family had separately reached a substantial settlement with an ambulance company involved in the incident.
Councilman Kenneth Stokes expressed dissatisfaction with the city settlement, deeming it insufficient, despite voting for its approval. Stokes emphasized concerns about the message it conveyed regarding the value of human life, particularly Black lives.
The lawsuit against the officers alleged brutal and unjust treatment, asserting that Robinson posed no threat and had not committed any crime at the time of the encounter.
Robinson, who had recently suffered a stroke and was on medication, experienced a seizure following the incident and subsequently succumbed to brain hemorrhage.
Legal proceedings regarding Robinson’s death have faced complexities, with charges against the officers undergoing various developments. While second-degree murder charges against two officers were dropped, former detective Anthony Fox was convicted of culpable negligence manslaughter.
However, the Mississippi Court of Appeals overturned Fox’s conviction earlier this year, citing a lack of evidence to support the charges.
Wade’s decision to reject the settlement underscores ongoing tensions surrounding police conduct and accountability in Jackson, particularly in cases involving the deaths of Black individuals.
Her family’s ordeal, compounded by the loss of her son, Dexter Wade, in a separate incident involving law enforcement, reflects broader concerns about transparency and justice in the community.
