Mickel Lewis Sr., unarmed and in an unwarranted stop, was shot by Kern County Deputy Jason Ayala on October 2, 2020. Following his death, Lewis' family filed a civil case alleging excessive force and civil rights violations, resulting in a record $30.5 million judgment from the jury. This amount is recognized as one of California’s largest payouts for a police shooting, with specific compensation awarded for loss of life and wrongful death to Lewis' children, marking a significant legal outcome in civil rights cases.
"The jury agreed with the claims, awarding $5 million for loss of life, $1 million for Lewis' pre-death pain and suffering and $24.5 million in wrongful death damages to Lewis' children."
"It is the largest verdict in Fresno for a police shooting case," said civil rights attorney Toni Jaramilla, reflecting on the significance of the jury's decision.
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