The family of slain drug suspect Michael Newby has decided to proceed with the wrongful death lawsuit after recent meetings to resolve the case failed.
Newby's stepfather, Jerry Bougess, is claiming that the city had previously offered $200,000 to settle the case, but are now only offering half that amount. Bouggess stated that in light of the recent fatal shooting of Officer Peter Grignon, city leaders now believe that Mattingly's actions were justified.
"We have to take it to the next level, where the wrong in what happened here can be exposed to the community, and they can see for themselves the officer was a murderer," Bouggess said.
Added local civil rights activist Christopher 2X: "Officer Grignon did not deserve what happened to him, but these are two separate situations."
A trial date has not been set.