Columbus City Council Approves $10 Million Settlement With Andre Hill’s Family
UPDATE:
On Monday evening (May 17), Columbus City Council approved a historic $10 million settlement between the city of Columbus and the family of Andre Hill.
According to NBC News, the $10 million sum will be split into two payments, one by the end of the 2021 calendar year and the other dispersed in the first quarter of 2022. It also includes an agreement to rename a local gymnasium in Hill’s honor by the end of the year.
On Friday, following the approval of the record-setting settlement by Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther, Hill’s daughter said it was a step in the right direction, but still not “full justice” for her father. Alvin Williams, Hill’s brother, thanked the city, peaceful protesters and many others for helping to set “this new positive trend about wrongdoing in policing.”
“We want things to change rapidly, immediately. As far as my brother, every soldier doesn’t make it through battle, but the thing is they’ve paved the way for everybody else to have freedom and the righteous way of living in a more peaceful society," he said.
PREVIOUS:
The city of Columbus has reportedly reached a settlement agreement with the family of Andre’ Hill, who was killed in December while visiting the home of a friend.
According to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, the city has agreed to deliver a $10 million settlement to Hill’s family, setting the record for the single highest payout in the Ohio capital’s history. According to local station WBNS, the settlement will be voted on by the Columbus City Council on Monday.
On March 26, the Franklin County Coroner’s Office released an autopsy report that revealed Hill was shot four times by former Columbus police officer Adam Coy.
Coy shot and killed the 47-year-old while responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the Ohio capital’s northwest side. A caller reported the vehicle parked on the street outside his home that was idling.
The autopsy report claims Hill was shot once in the chest and three times in his right leg. His manner of death was previously ruled a homicide.
“We understand that because of this former officer’s actions, the Hill family will never be whole,” said Klein, according to WBNS. “No amount of money will ever bring Andre’ Hill back to his family, but we believe this is an important and necessary step in the right direction.”
Ben Crump, the attorney for the Hill family, said the now-fired officer Coy shot at without first giving Hill any verbal commands to put his hand up and shot him four times. He also claimed the body-cam footage confirms the "unnecessary, unjustifiable and senseless shooting of Andre Hill."
"Where is the humanity for Andre Hill? Where is the humanity for this Columbus citizen who had committed no crime, had no weapon, was unarmed, only holding a cell phone? Where’s the humanity for this citizen, for this father, this grandfather, this brother?" Crump said during a news conference in Columbus following the release of the body cam footage, according to ABC News. "It makes you wonder if they had been trying to save his life versus trying to put handcuffs on him, would Andre Hill be with us today?"
In February, Coy was charged with murder in the commission of a felony, felonious assault, dereliction of duty for failure to turn on his body camera, and dereliction of duty for failing to tell his fellow officer he felt Hill presented a danger.
A $1,000,000 bond has been set for Coy. He is currently awaiting trial.
