The late Lindani Myeni with his wife Lindsey and their two children in Hanolulu, Hawaii. Image: Sherin Bryce-Pease shared via X
(The Post News)- A potential amount of a R26 million settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit that was filed by the widow of the late rugby player Lindani Myeni,Lindsey Myeni against the city of Honolulu is expected to be made next month.
The South African-born sportsman was fatally shot by the Honolulu police officers in 2021. The shooting took place in a residence’s driveway after an apparent fight with police officers, leading to Myeni’s untimely demise.
Lindsay Myeni, the widow, presented the clothes her husband was wearing when he was shot, emphasising the reality of his death. She expressed her frustration with the lack of justice thus far.
The lawsuit alleged that the police officers made a reckless act, and their actions were not justified on the night the father of two was killed. However , the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, Steve Alm, previously found that the officers were justified in their use of force and declined to file any charges against the officers.
Senior city officials, including the mayor, prosecutor, and Police Chief, all voiced their disagreement against the settlement, stating that the Council should proceed with a civil trial. They maintained that the officers were justified in using deadly force and that the city would prevail in court.
Myeni’s attorney, Jim Bickerton, believes that the family has a strong case and that it would succeed in a civil trial, bringing attention to the fact that the police officers did not identify themselves before ordering Myeni to get on the ground, as a key issue in the case. he also expressed disappointment at the delay, stating that the settlement was a compromise between the parties.
The Prosecuting Attorney, Steve Alm, argued that Myeni was the aggressor and that he suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease that can only be diagnosed posthumously and is commonly found in people with repeated head injuries..
It has been reported that if the settlement is not approved by the Council on November 7th, the case will proceed to trial, likely in the first half of 2025.
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