June 2, 1981: Ron Settles was murdered while in police custody by Signal Hill Police in California.
Ron Settles was a California State University, Long Beach and Banning High School football player who was arrested by the Signal Hill Police Department in 1981.
The Arrest and Murder:
The incident began when he was pulled over for speeding by the Signal Hill Police Department in Long Beach, California. He was arrested after a scuffle with SHPD white officers.
The morning after his arrest, he was found severely beaten and hung in his jail cell. A furor erupted afterwards over the nature of his death, as the police said the death was a suicide. No one was prosecuted for Settles’ death, but the city of Signal Hill did pay a large settlement to the family.
Aftermath:
The case had long-term impacts on the reputation of Signal Hill, although a new police chief took steps to reform the police department. The case was an early high-profile case handled by attorney Johnnie Cochran, who represented the family. One of the policemen implicated in the incident was also represented by another noted civil rights attorney, Stephen Yagman.
In a subsequent coroner’s inquest, attorney Johnny Cochran demonstrated the chokehold, which resulted in a jury’s finding that Settles had died “at the hands of another.” Moreover, the decision was reversed in court following the testimony of Dr. Michael Baden, who determined there was no evidence that Settles had died from hanging, but was most likely killed by a chokehold.
The city settled with the Settles out of court in 1983 for $1 million dollars.
Settles’ death was one of several highly controversial deaths of arrestees in the 1970s and 80s that changed the way police departments dealt with prisoners. Many police departments now videotape jail areas; any time a police officer or correctional officer touches a prisoner in a restraining way, a report is required to be written. These measures are intended to decrease the chances of police brutality in prison cells.
In Pop Culture: Settles’ story was told by Dr. Baden on the HBO series, Autopsy.
Charles Burnett’s 1995 film, The Glass Shield, was partially based on the Settles case.
Finish reading the original post on Daily Black History Facts
13 Comments
I remember that case!!! A young life gone! Almost nothing has changed! Now, a choke hold on a new york st.! (Eric Garner) Or a traffic stop ends in Sandra Blands death! Yesterdas; there was a video of a cop raping someone child in a jail cell!!! Knocking her out!… And when she tried 2 fight he’d hit her again & continued to rape her!!! IN JAIL! ON CAMERA!
I not only remember this incident with this young man, but Johnny Cochran and his wife were at a community breakfast, me and my then husband attended and he told everyone in attendance the story. As a former employee of Long Beach, the Signal Hill Police do not play. I have seen then tackle a suspect. There are policemen there that probably were there when this happened and are about to retire do to age.
I can see now police brutality is no new phenomenon. It has been around forever. Cameras are everywhere now and police can no longer hide their misdeeds..
[…] post June 2, 1981: Football Player Ron Settles Murdered in Police Custody appeared first on Black […]
After exploring a handful of the articles on your web
site, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog.
I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website as well and tell me how you
feel.
Hi! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would
be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
Ahaa, its nice conversation about this post
here at this webpage, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your further
post thanks once again.
Viagra In 3 Days Amoxil Problems cialis Purchase Sildenafil Citrate Cialis Modo De Empleo Amoxicillin Tablets In Soda
First off I would like to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your
mind before writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out.
I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to
15 minutes are wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or
hints? Cheers!
I like the helpful information you supply in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and test again here frequently.
I’m relatively sure I will be told a lot of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
Cialis Apotheke Frankreich Dos And Donts While Taking Amoxicillin Zithromax Versus Azithromycin
Wow! How did you comoe up with atht coolpost?