Rochester reaches $12 million settlement with Daniel Prude estate over his death in police custody
ROCHESTER, NY -- The city of Rochester, New York, has reached a $12 million settlement with the estate of Daniel Prude, who died in 2020 in police custody.
Prude's son sued the city in federal court for alleged gross negligence and wrongful death.
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"After more than two years, the City of Rochester has come to a settlement agreement with the estate of Daniel Prude," Mayor Malik D. Evans said in a statement.
"Given the costs of continued litigation, this settlement was the best decision. It would have cost taxpayers even more to litigate, and would have placed a painful toll on our community," the statement added.
Prude, a 41-year-old Black man, died in March 2020. He was having a mental episode when officers handcuffed him, covered his head with a "spit sock" and held him on the ground in a prone position. Prude was taken to a hospital, declared brain-dead and died a week later.
"It is now time to look forward, so we may work together and focus our efforts on Rochester's future," Malik added.
Prude's death was ruled a homicide by the Monroe County medical examiner. The report cited complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint as a finding. The report also cited excited delirium and acute PCP intoxication as causes of death.
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