Why Don’t Lawyers Let a Jury Decide?

This is footage taken on the scene of a man being shot by UAMS Police Officer Krystal Watson.

Watson is seen falling to the ground, looking like she fainted, moments after she fatally shot Tyrone Washinton after the hospital failed to give him the mental health treatment he was seeking.

Tyrone Washington’s heirs sued the Board of Trustees at UAMS and Krystal Watson.

Two years after filing suit and four years after his death, Tyrone Washington’s heirs might finally receive some financial compensation. Nothing will return their loved one. True. But give them some cash. Seriously.

Deciding how much it is worth is difficult, and should be decided by a jury.

But why did the defendants file a Motion for Summary Judgment? Why did Watson claim she thought fellow officer Howard Redd was in imminent danger of being dragged under the truck Washington was driving? The man who was shot had his foot on the brake. Officer Redd had let go of the steering wheel and was free to fall. And stopping the truck by shooting a tire would work just as well as killing the driver.

Ethical lawyers should aim for early resolution. Not a punk headshot meant to kill rather than compensate.