Inquest Into Death of Charleena Lyles Begins

https://southseattleemerald.com/2022/06/15/news-gleams-charleena-lyles-inquest-begins-waesn-youth-activist-academy-more/#Inquest-Into-Death-of-Charleena-Lyles-Begins

Inquest Into Death of Charleena Lyles Begins

On Tuesday, June 21, the inquest into the wrongful death of Charleena Lyles will begin. Lyles, a Black mother of four and victim of domestic violence, was shot by two Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers in June 2017, following her report of a burglary in her home.

The original lawsuit against the officers was dismissed by former King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector in January 2019. The family appealed, and the decision was reversed to King County Superior Court and was originally set for trial in February 2022. In November 2021, the City of Seattle reached a $3.5 million settlement with Lyles’ family, but Karen Koehler, the lead attorney of the family, noted at the time that, “The money is representative. Representative of the magnitude of the loss, and acknowledgement, whether they apologize or not.”

Taking place at the Conference Center at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center in Seattle, the inquest is scheduled to run on select weekdays through July 6, with a public livestream available via Zoom.
The two SPD officers have since filed a motion requesting that no video or photos are taken of their faces during the inquest, over concerns around privacy and safety.

https://mynorthwest.com/3518949/inquest-death-charleena-lyles-officers-ban-video-livestream/

Officers seek ban of video livestream in inquest into death of Charleena Lyles

In an inquest into the officer-involved shooting of Charleena Lyles, two officers have filed a motion requesting that no video or photos are taken of their faces over concerns of privacy and safety. The inquest into the wrongful death of Lyles, a black mother of four and victim of domestic violence, who was shot by two Seattle Police Department officers when investigating a burglary she had reported, is set to begin June 21.

https://www.stritmatter.com/charleena-lyles-overview

Charleena Lyles v. City of Seattle

$3.5 MILLION SETTLEMENT

On June 18, 2017, Charleena Lyles, a Black pregnant mother experiencing a mental health crisis, called the police for help. Shortly after two SPD officers arrived, they fired their weapons, shooting seven bullets into the front and back of Charleena. She was killed within mere feet of her then two year and four-year-old children. A third child had been sleeping in his bed just down the hall.

The Estate and Children of Charleena Lyles represented through Commissioner Eric Watness, retained SKKM law firm to bring a wrongful death action against the City of Seattle and its police department. The lower court initially dismissed the lawsuit against the officers. But SKKM appealed the decision which was overturned in February 2021. The case was remanded to King County Superior Court and set for trial in February 2022.

On November 29, 2021, at 10:30 pm, the case settled for $3.5 Million. Our City has a long way to go to create more compassion and equity in the way it polices people with mental illness – particularly those of color and/or those who are marginalized. The resolution of the civil lawsuit does not impact the inquest proceedings which were also delayed by appeal.