More than two years after Akron police officers killed Jayland Walker, the City of Akron appears to be close to settling the high-profile federal civil rights lawsuit filed last year by Walker’s family seeking at least $45 million in damages.
Walker family attorney Bobby DiCello hinted on June 27, at a memorial event on the two-year anniversary of Walker’s killing, that a settlement was impending: “Change is on the way, I promise you that,” he told those gathered to honor Walker’s memory.
According to a status report filed in the U.S. District Court in Akron on Tuesday by attorneys on both sides, details of the “change” DiCello alluded to could be known within a month.
Since attorneys last updated Judge John R. Adams in May, the status report states, the “Parties have made considerable strides in settlement discussions. At this time, the Parties are continuing settlement discussions and are getting close to hopefully resolving the case. It is the Parties hopes to present the finalized settlement to the Court by the next status report.”
On Aug. 2, Adams ordered attorneys for both Walker and the city to provide updates on their discussions by Aug. 6 and to continue to file status reports every 30 days. That means the terms could be reached by Sept. 5.
Eight police officers fired 94 rounds at Walker on June 27, 2022, striking him 46 times, after a car chase and brief foot pursuit. The killing, and the exoneration of the officers who killed him, led to widespread protests in the city.
Lawsuit asks for $1 million ‘for each bullet that struck Jayland Walker’
The Walker family lawsuit, filed in June 2023, alleged Akron police officers violated the constitution when they killed Walker and that police and the city are liable for the incident. The lawsuit called for at least $45 million in damages: “$1 million for each bullet that struck Jayland Walker,” the complaint states.
It is not known how much of the lawsuit settlement could be financial, if it will involve policy changes, or both.
At the June 27 memorial for Walker, DiCello said the lawsuit will result in “accountability,” “fairness,” “collaboration” and “community.” He didn’t provide any details about what to expect, but he appeared optimistic that the settlement will be favorable to the Walker family and their supporters.
“When you look in the eyes of a city leader and they know that you all have been out there cheering, you all have been out there parading, you have been out there saying things that make a difference – they were afraid of you,” DiCello told the crowd.
“They respected the power that you brought on behalf of the Walker family. So today, while it is a tragic day in memory, it is an important day for social justice,” he said. “It is an important day because it commemorates when you all stood for this family, and this family stood for peace.
“And change is on the way, I promise you that.”
Earlier this year, the City of Akron settled two federal lawsuits stemming from the protests in the wake of Walker’s death and the exoneration of the officers who killed him.
Late last month, Akron agreed to implement policy changes about how the police department behaves during protests in order to settle a lawsuit filed by the Akron Bail Fund. In February, the city agreed to pay $747,000 to settle a lawsuit from 22 protesters and bystanders who said they were illegally arrested.
