Chokehold Case May Cost Miami $34 Million
MIAMI — Miami officials agreed Tuesday to pay $7.5 million and all future medical expenses incurred by a man left comatose from a police chokehold.
The award to Antonio Edwards’ family means the cost to the city could reach $34 million or more if the 24-year-old Edwards, who must be maintained on life support, lives to age 65, said Stuart Grossman, the plaintiffs’ lawyer.
Edwards has a wife, Tanjenika, and 4-year-old son, Antonio Jr.
The civil damage lawsuit against the city was scheduled for trial in federal court today, and the judge must still approve the settlement.
Edwards was injured on Jan. 3, 1992, amid tension caused by the shooting of an officer. Police approached his car because it matched the description of one involved in the slaying. A scuffle ensued, and officer Carl Seals used a chokehold on Edwards.
Seals claimed that Edwards made “unruly, uncontrollable body movements toward me.” But city investigators ruled that Seals used excessive force.
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