DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Dallas City Council on Wednesday approved a $2.5 million partial settlement with the family of Tony Timpa, who died in Dallas police custody in August of 2016.
The move comes months after a jury found three of the four officers, Dustin Dillard, Raymond Dominguez and Danny Vasquez, violated Timpa’s constitutional rights but determined two of them were protected by qualified immunity.
Timpa called 911 for help, saying he was schizophrenic, off his medication and had taken cocaine.
Court records show responding officers handcuffed Timpa and pinned him down for fourteen minutes before he died.
Dillard had his knee on Timpa’s back, he lost consciousness during the ordeal and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The incident was captured on bodycam video.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner ruled Timpa’s death a homicide, citing the toxic effects of cocaine and physiological stress associated with physical restraint.
Timpa’s family initially filed a civil complaint in 2016 but a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2022 paved the way for a trial to begin.
The family sought damages for a myriad of allegations including wrongful death, false imprisonment, assault and battery, negligence and gross negligence, negligent hiring and supervision and survival action.
This week’s decision by Dallas City Council comes months after Timpa’s son was awarded $1 million over his father’s death.
No damages were awarded to Timpa’s parents and estate. It’s unclear how the $2.5 million partial settlement will be divided.
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