The parents of a young mentally ill man who was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy in Florida have settled their wrongful death lawsuit for $1.7 million.
Michael Camberdella was shot and killed by a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy in Boynton Beach, Florida in 2012. According to the family’s attorney, Michael, age 18, suffered from bipolar disorder and had not been taking his medicine. His mother, Linda Camberdella, called 911 after she said Michael became aggressive toward her. She told the 911 operator her son needed professional help to make sure he did not hurt himself or others.
According to an investigative report, Deputy William Goldstein approached while holding his service revolver and ordered Michael to drop the rubber mallet and garden shears he was holding and lie on the ground, which he did. Investigators said that Michael then began pulling “unknown objects” – later identified as rocks – from his pockets and throwing them at the deputy. Goldstein started firing from about 23 feet away, and fired 11 shots, investigators said. The lawsuit stated that one of the shots struck Michael in the heart, killing him.
In August, an appeals court refused to grant Goldstein immunity from the wrongful death lawsuit, affirming the earlier conclusion of a district court that a reasonable jury could find that a clearly established constitutional right was violated when Goldstein shot and killed Michael.
The lawsuit claimed that Goldstein failed to use proper police techniques such as calling for backup or a crisis team.
If you need to speak with a wrongful death attorney or lawyer, Call Joyce & Reyes at 1.888.771.1529 or visit more of http://www.joyceandreyespa.com/.
