SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane City Council unanimously approved a settlement Monday night that awards the estate of Otto Zehm $1.67 million dollars for Zehm's death as a result of his interaction with Spokane Police back in 2006.
Previous Coverage:
SPOKANE, WASH. - It's a story we've covered for more than six years. A struggle that started in a North Spokane Zip Trip and ended the hospital, 48 hours later, a disabled janitor named Otto Zehm lost his life. Now, after more than 2,000 days, it appears the city and Otto Zehm's family may put an end to another chapter in this tragic tale.
A week ago today city leaders met with the Zehm family attorneys in a mediation that ultimately finished with a settlement worth more than a million a half dollars. Still one hurdle remains, and that is the final approval by the Spokane City Council.
The lawsuit demanded more than 14 million dollars before they settled for 1.67 million last week. But aside from the money, the Zehm family will receive a letter of apology from the city of Spokane and a promise to require further crisis intervention training for police officers.
Last week the Zehm family attorneys said this is the highest payout that has ever been awarded in a lawsuit like this with the city. Otto Zehm's mother said after her son's incident with SPD that she wanted two things: The first was for the city to admit that they made a mistake. The second was to ensure that something like this will never happen again.
If settled tonight, the Zehm family will get both of the things they hoped for. Ultimately the attorneys representing the family said that Otto's mother Ann has always felt that this was never about the money. She wants justice for her son.
City Council President Ben Stuckart told us late last week that he believes the council will pass this settlement unanimously at its meeting tonight.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KHQ. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
