The $12 million settlement reached by the city of Rochester has been made by the family of Daniel Prude. He was a Black man who was taken into custody by police in upstate New York.
Although the city made the announcement on Thursday, it did not admit to any wrongdoing in Prude’s March 2020 death. Prude was taken to the hospital and put in handcuffs.
Mayor Malik Evans stated in a statement that the settlement was the best decision given the cost of continuing litigation.
Settlement
Evans stated that litigating would have been more expensive for taxpayers and had a devastating impact on the community. “It’s now time to look ahead so that we can work together and concentrate our efforts on Rochester’s future.
Prude, 41 years old, was experiencing a mental disorder when police arrested him on March 23, 2020. Joe Prude, his brother, had called 911 to report the behavior of his brother. Daniel Prude had been to a hospital for a mental health assessment the day before.
Prude was naked when officers arrived. Prude immediately obeyed the officers’ orders to lie face down on the ground and to place his hands behind his back.
