MONTGOMERY COUNTY — A multi-million dollar settlement has been reached after a man died in the custody of the Montgomery County Jail.
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The family of Christian Black and their lawyer, Michael Wright, held a press conference Tuesday.
Wright announced what he referred to as a “record-setting” $7 million dollar settlement with Montgomery County.
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“It is our hope that this sends a message that we are going to make it not financially feasible to injure or kill people in our jail,” Wright said.
County commissioners unanimously approved the settlement, while pointing out they do not control jail operations.
The jail is under the contro of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office who released the following statement:
“Our thoughts remain with Mr. Black’s family during this difficult time. Due to the ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide further comment regarding the settlement. However, we are encouraged that construction is finally moving forward at the County Jail. We believe these improvements will play a critical role in addressing many of the challenges currently faced, including mental health crises, deteriorating inmate health, and the violent incidents that correctional staff encounter daily.”
Black was arrested by Englewood Police after crashing a stolen car, jumping a fence, and trying to swim away from officers.
The sheriff’s office said he had repeated confrontations with corrections officers after being booked in the Montgomery County Jail.
They said he repeatedly banged his head against his cell door and again tried to fight staff, prompting them to tase and use pepper spray on him before putting him in a restraint chair.
Black lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital. He died two days later, on March 26.
His manner of death was ruled a homicide by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, which also determined that his cause of death was mechanical and positional asphyxia.
Ten jail employees were placed on leave, six of whom have since returned to work.
Black’s mother Misti, said the money won’t bring back her son.
“Those jailers are still responsible for killing my son; they murdered my son. The $7 million does not make it okay or does not make it go away,” Misti said.
She feels the loss of her son every day.
“I will forever be broken-hearted,” she said.
Her family has filed a civil lawsuit against the jail’s medical provider, Naphcare, as well.
She wants criminal charges against the correction officers invovled.
“Because he was there to answer for his actions ... they need to be in the same place to answer for their actions,” Misti said.
Dayton police are leading the ongoing criminal investigation, and asked Franklin County prosecutors to handle the decisions on any potential criminal charges.
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