Wrongful Death Lawsuit Involving Virginia Deputy Settled For $150,000

A civil complaint was filed against Frederick County Police Deputy Richard Brill after he shot and killed a man that he was trying to apprehend in 2007. The complaint, which was filed by the deceased man’s estate administrator, alleged that the police deputy used excessive force while trying to apprehend the deceased man at his home in Shawneeland, Virginia.

According to news reports, the Virginia deputy claimed that he acted reasonably in shooting the deceased man because he allegedly had a history of mental health issues and was exhibiting bizarre behavior at the time that the deputy was attempting to arrest the man. The deceased man’s estate claimed that the use of deadly force was unreasonable and unnecessary.

The deceased man’s estate originally sought $ 4 million dollars in the wrongful death complaint. The two parties were able to negotiate a comprise settlement for $150,000, an amount that is far below what the plaintiffs had originally sought in the complaint.