Maryland’s Board of Public Works has unanimously approved a settlement of $235,000 to conclude a lawsuit against the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner following the fatal police encounter that led to the death of Anton Black five years ago. The settlement will distribute $100,000 to Black’s family and estate, alongside an additional $135,000 to cover the legal fees of the Coalition for Justice for Anton Black.
In conjunction with the settlement, reforms are to be implemented to the Office of the State Medical Examiner. These reforms involve the establishment of explicit guidelines for reviewing in-custody deaths, adhering to national standards, and guaranteeing impartial investigations. Furthermore, families will be notified about their rights in relation to autopsy reports, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland. These reforms are applicable to all deaths that involve law enforcement restraint and those that occur in jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities.
Richard Potter, the founder of the Coalition for Justice for Anton Black, lauded the board’s approval of the settlement and endorsed continued vigilance from community members. “This settlement is an excellent first step, but as we engage in this new process community members must stay vigilant and engaged to make sure it’s effective.”
Back in September 2018, Anton Black died following an altercation with police during which he was tased and restrained. The official autopsy report determined that Black’s sudden cardiac arrest was a result of stress from the encounter, with no evidence found attributing the officers’ restraint to Black’s asphyxiation. Comparatively, an expert, representing Black’s estate, contended that asphyxiation was the primary cause of Black’s death.
The Coalition for Justice for Anton Black and Black’s family were instrumental in the passage of Anton’s Law by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021. This legislation amplified transparency concerning police discipline records, granting the community access under Maryland’s Public Information Act.
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