Man left paralyzed after encounter with police receives $45 million settlement

After a legal battle against the city of New Haven, Conn a man who was paralyzed while being transported in the back of a police van is due to receive a 45 million dollar settlement.

Richard Cox, 36, known as Randy,  was being transported to a police station in New Haven on a weapons-related charge in a van not equipped with seatbelts. When the vehicle came to a stop, suddenly, a handcuffed Mr. Cox, slammed headfirst into the inside walls of the vehicle. There is video footage of the incident.

 The city fired two officers for their mistreatment of Mr. Cox. All five police officers involved, including those fired also face criminal charges. There is a current conduct investigation being done internally.

“From day one after the tragic incident with Randy Cox occurred, we have been clear that we want to ensure accountability for the New Haven community and justice for Randy,” Mayor Justin Elicker said in an interview on Sunday. “We’ve been clear all along that we wanted to find a pathway to settle the case.”

The officers who treated Mr. Cox were seen on surveillance lambasting, and mocking him when he could not sit up.

This incident occurred on June 19, when Mr. Cox was attending a neighborhood block party. Police officers arrived at the location responding to a weapons complaint. Police confronted  Mr. Cox, they later claimed to find a weapon on him, and arrested him.