Executive Summary
- The City of Raleigh has agreed to a $975,000 settlement with the estate of Darryl Williams.
- Williams died in January 2023 after being tased three times during an arrest; the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.
- The Wake County District Attorney previously declined to file criminal charges against the officers involved.
- The settlement agreement requires final approval from the Raleigh City Council.
The estate of Darryl Williams, a 32-year-old man who died in the custody of the Raleigh Police Department in January 2023, has reached a settlement agreement totaling $975,000 to resolve a wrongful death lawsuit against the city. According to city officials and court records, the payment will be divided between the City of Raleigh and its self-insured retention fund, though the agreement remains subject to final approval by the Raleigh City Council and the primary excess insurance carrier.
The federal lawsuit, filed by the Williams family with representation from civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Jaylen Miller of Emancipate NC, stemmed from a fatal encounter on January 17, 2023. Body camera footage and police reports indicate that officers approached Williams’ vehicle while patrolling the Rock Quarry Road area. A struggle ensued during the attempted arrest, resulting in officers deploying tasers three times. Williams was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 3 a.m., shortly after officers noted they could not find a pulse.
An autopsy conducted by the North Carolina Chief Medical Examiner ruled Williams’ death a homicide. The medical report cited "sudden cardiac arrest in the setting of cocaine intoxication, physical exertion, conducted energy weapon use, and physical restraint" as the cause of death. Despite the homicide ruling, the Wake County District Attorney announced in June 2023 that no criminal charges would be filed against the five officers involved in the incident.
The civil complaint, filed on March 18, 2024, named the City of Raleigh, former Police Chief Estella Patterson, and the involved officers as defendants. The plaintiffs alleged excessive force and wrongful death. In a statement to local media, the City of Raleigh confirmed the settlement amount was agreed upon on December 1, pending the necessary administrative authorizations.
Civil Litigation and Oversight
This settlement represents the conclusion of the civil liability aspect of the case, distinct from the criminal investigation which resulted in no charges. Settlements in wrongful death suits involving law enforcement are often utilized to resolve litigation without a trial and do not inherently constitute an admission of liability by the municipality or the officers involved. The requirement for City Council approval highlights the administrative oversight necessary for substantial municipal payouts. It is important to note that while the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, the officers involved were cleared of criminal wrongdoing by the District Attorney, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
