A $12 million settlement ended a long-running wrongful-death suit stemming from the shootings of April 26, 2003, when Tacoma Police Chief David Brame fatally shot his wife, Crystal Judson, and himself, reports the Tacoma (Wa.) News Tribune. The settlement pays money to the family, including the couple's two orphaned children and their aunt and uncle. It ensures that fact-finding and public disclosure will continue. The city will pay $1 million toward the settlement. Insurance will pick up the rest, city leaders said.
City leaders also agreed to name a planned county-city domestic violence center after Judson. City Councilman Tom Stenger thanked the Judson family for staying true to their stated goal: the truth, and systematic changes within the City of Tacoma. “The settlement is unique in that it protects the citizens of Tacoma from further financial exposure, but allows the family to continue taking sworn testimony of those they believe played a role in their daughter's death,” said David Beninger, one of the attorneys representing the family. The settlement includes stipulations regarding city policies, each noting that the city will make “all reasonable efforts” to implement recommendations of a police audit and a citizen advisory panel, and to improve psychological screening of police officers.
Link: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/5176281p-4706279c.html