Antioch City Agrees to Pay $7.5 Million Settlement to Family of Man Who Died After Police Intervention
Introduction:
A tragic incident that occurred in Antioch, California, on December 23, 2020, led to a settlement of $7.5 million between the city and the family of Angelo Quinto. Quinto, a 30-year-old man who was going through a mental health crisis, lost his life days after being restrained by police officers. The family filed a wrongful death claim against the city alleging that Quinto’s death was due to the excessive force used by the officers during their intervention.
Background:
Angelo Quinto’s family filed a wrongful death claim against the city of Antioch on February 1, 2021. They alleged that Quinto was experiencing a mental health episode and died as a result of the officers’ actions. According to the family’s attorneys, Quinto’s sister called the police because she was concerned about his safety and believed he might harm their mother. The officers restrained Quinto at the family home, but he lost consciousness shortly after and was later pronounced dead at a hospital three days later.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office conducted an internal examination, which determined that there was no evidence of criminal offense by the Antioch police officers in Quinto’s death. However, conflicting medical opinions surfaced regarding the cause of his death. The district attorney’s office stated that Quinto’s neck area had no damage and that no police officer had applied pressure to his neck.
Autopsy Findings:
An autopsy performed five days after Quinto’s death revealed that his cause of death was “Excited Delirium Syndrome due to drug intoxication, psychiatric conditions, physical exertion, and cardiac arrest.”
Legislative Action:
Quinto’s family played a significant role in advocating for legislative change following his death. They lobbied to have the term “excited delirium” and other similar terms removed from cause of death listings in California, which was later signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Positive Change:
The settlement not only brought some semblance of justice for Quinto’s family but also led to positive changes in the community. Police body cameras are now mandatory in Antioch, and a non-police mental health response team has been established to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
City’s Response:
Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe expressed his regret for the two lives lost in police custody during his administration, stating that he was initially under the impression that it wasn’t a significant issue. However, after recognizing the need for change, the city council implemented reforms and established a safer community for all segments of the city.
Family’s Gratitude:
Quinto’s stepfather, Robert Collins, thanked the mayor and city council for their responsiveness to the family’s calls for change. He described the process as ongoing and emphasized that there is still more work to be done in terms of continuing the reforms and ensuring justice for all.
Conclusion:
The tragic death of Angelo Quinto led to a significant settlement between his family and the city, as well as positive changes in the form of legislative action, police body cameras, and a non-police mental health response team. The family’s advocacy efforts paved the way for these improvements and continue to inspire change in their community.
