Family of woman killed in botched drug raid to receive $4.9 million

cnn.com ^ | 16 August, 2010 | Staff

[marktwain]

Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- The city of Atlanta will pay $4.9 million to the family of Kathryn Johnston, a 92-year-old woman killed in a botched November 2006 drug raid, Mayor Kasim Reed's office announced Monday.

Johnston was shot to death by narcotics officers conducting a "no-knock" warrant. Investigators later determined the raid was based on falsified paperwork stating that illegal drugs were present in the home.

The incident prompted a major overhaul of the Atlanta police drug unit, and three former police officers were sentenced to prison terms for a cover-up that ensued.

Johnston's family will receive $2.9 million sometime in fiscal 2011, the city said, with the remaining $2 million to be paid in fiscal 2012, on or before August 15, 2011. Video: Family paid for wrongful death RELATED TOPICS

* Atlanta * Police * Kathryn Johnston

The payment represents the settlement of a lawsuit filed against the city by Sarah Dozier, Johnston's niece, Reed's office said in a statement. Initially filed in state court, the suit was moved to federal court, where a judge ordered the parties to mediation.

As the search warrant was being executed November 21, 2006, at Johnston's home, she fired at officers with an old pistol, apparently believing her home was being broken into. Six officers returned fire. Johnston's one shot went through her front door and over the officers' heads. They responded with 39 shots, hitting the elderly woman five times.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I see, so it is some of your damn business to declare that a topic of public discourse is off limits? What branch of the Taliban are you from?

[starlifter]

Nice try.

It's as much a topic of discussion as how you spend your money.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Go ahead.

I might not agree with your opinion, but I wouldn’t suggest that you have no right to hold the opinion or to express yourself. That’s hardly a controversial point.

[Nate505]

I remember there were twits here justifying the raid because they found some pot in the house, like that’s justification for gunning down an old lady.

[rustyboots]

“three former police officers were sentenced to prison terms for a cover-up that ensued.”

How about some jail time for murder? They knew the warrant was based on bad information and killed this woman in the commission of a crime. Shouldn’t felony murder apply?
Maybe the Federal Government should use RICO to go after cases like this, it allows you to really go after the bad guys; seize all property and monies. Use the same laws against the cops that will be used against citizens.