During a press conference on Wednesday, attorneys representing the family of Edward Bronstein, who passed away while in police custody in 2020, revealed that $24 million settlement for in-custody death case has been reached with the state of California.
Landmark Civil Rights Settlement Reached in Edward Bronstein Case:
Annee Della Donna, the attorney representing Bronstein’s family, emphasized the significance of today’s events, stating, “Today is huge because the amount of the settlement matters. It is a huge message to every officer out there: Take your knees off our necks.”
Eric Dubin, the family’s legal counsel, declared that this settlement marks a historic milestone for civil rights in California, ranking as the largest ever. While nationwide, it stands as the second largest settlement, surpassed only by the $27 million approved for George Floyd’s family.
Dubin clarified that California did not admit any wrongdoing as part of this settlement agreement.
Tragic Death of Bronstein During Arrest Sparked Controversy:
Bronstein, aged 38, was arrested on March 31, 2020, after being pulled over by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) on a Burbank freeway under suspicion of driving under the influence, as stated by prosecutors.
Subsequently, he was taken to CHP’s Altadena Station, where officers sought to obtain a blood sample. Prosecutors allege that six officers forcibly restrained Bronstein, who was already handcuffed, by pinning him to the ground and applying pressure with their knees on his legs and neck while the blood draw took place. Video footage of the incident reveals Bronstein repeatedly stating his inability to breathe prior to becoming unresponsive.
According to prosecutors, it took more than 13 minutes after Bronstein lost consciousness for officers to initiate CPR. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at a later time.
Officers and Nurse Charged in Restraint-Related Death:
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the upcoming arraignment of seven California Highway Patrol officers and a nurse, scheduled for next week, will involve charges of involuntary manslaughter in relation to a death. The deceased individual’s family’s attorney previously provided an autopsy report, which attributed the cause of death to acute methamphetamine intoxication during the period of restraint by law enforcement. However, the manner of death was stated as undetermined in the report. As of now, the defendants have not entered a plea.
The California Association of Highway Patrolmen, the union that represents CHP officers, in a statement said “No evidence suggests Mr. Bronstein suffered from asphyxia during his restraint by law enforcement.”
