Denver agrees to record-setting $6 million settlement in excessive force case

Surveillance video shows Denver Sheriff’s deputies struggling with Marvin Booker in July 2010. (Credit: Denver Sheriff’s Office)

by: David Mitchell

Posted: Nov 26, 2014 / 09:11 PM MST

Updated: Nov 26, 2014 / 09:13 PM MST

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

DENVER — The city of Denver agreed to a record-setting settlement with the family of Marvin Booker Friday.

It’s worth $6 million.

Booker died in July 2010 while he was being held in the downtown Denver detention center.

Surveillance cameras recorded his struggle with Denver Sheriff’s Office deputies.

The agreement still needs to be approved by the City Council. Members take it up for the first time at their meeting on Monday.

Booker’s family filed an excessive force lawsuit as a result of his death. The settlement includes last month’s jury verdict of $4.65 million and $1.35 million for the family’s attorney fees and costs.

“The settlement brings finality to the legal portion of the Booker case and allows all of us to turn our focus to healing,” Denver City Attorney Scott Martinez says. “There is still work to be done. We are zeroed in on strengthening accountability through the deep dive into policies and procedures and ensure they meet the expectations of this community.”