In June 2023 the city of Charlotte in North Carolina paid $800,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit involving Harold Easter, 41. Harold died in a police interrogation room after he swallowed cocaine during a traffic stop in January 2020.
The lawsuit was filed by the family of Harold. The lawsuit says officers failed to get Harold medical help after he was arrested during a drug investigation in which he swallowed cocaine.
Four officers and a sergeant were fired after an investigation was launched.
Harold died on January 26, 2020 after he experienced a medical emergency in police custody in Charlotte, NC. Video of the incident can be seen below.
On January 23, 2020, a suspected drug transaction was observed near the intersection of Whisnant Street and Burton Street in Charlotte, NC. Officers conducted a traffic stop on a suspect vehicle. Harold was the alleged driver of the vehicle and was found to be in possession of cocaine and marijuana, officials say.Harold swallowed cocaine during the encounter. Harold was taken into custody for drug and traffic charges and then transported to a precinct team office for an interview and arrest processing.After ingesting the cocaine, Harold experienced a medical emergency while in the custody of the Charlotte police. Harold was in the police interrogation room for over 30 minutes, at some point he began beating on the table and convulsing.
Officers were not paying attention to Harold, as they are required to monitor suspects.Harold eventually collapsed on the ground, and officers finally came into the room to assist him, but it was too late. Harold was later pronounced deceased on January 26, 2020.
The lawsuit claimed negligence, constitutional rights violations, wrongful death, and punitive damages. After extended litigation, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department decided to settle the lawsuit and give Harold’s family $800,000.
