City Settles Lawsuit Over 2018 Incident
Burlington, Vermont, has agreed to a $215,000 settlement in a lawsuit accusing a police officer of using excessive force against Mabior Jok, a man who was slammed to the ground during a confrontation in 2018. The incident, which left Jok unconscious, occurred when Officer Joseph Corrow reportedly approached Jok without giving verbal commands or announcing himself before using physical force.
The settlement, finalized in late August 2024, came just days before the trial was set to begin. Jok’s lawyer, Robb Spensley, described the settlement as life-changing for his client, who has experienced intermittent homelessness over the years.
Details of the Incident
According to the federal lawsuit filed in 2019, Jok was standing outside with a group of people when a conversation escalated. Without warning, Officer Corrow grabbed Jok and slammed him to the ground, rendering him unconscious. Jok did not receive any instructions or warnings prior to the officer’s action, the lawsuit claimed.
At the time, Burlington’s police chief defended Corrow, stating that an internal investigation found no excessive force was used. However, the chief acknowledged that Corrow had failed to call for backup or issue any verbal commands. The department justified the officer’s actions by citing Jok’s history with law enforcement.
Settlement Breakdown and City’s Response
As part of the settlement, the city’s insurance carrier covered $140,000 of the payout, with the city itself contributing $75,000. Joe Magee, deputy chief of staff in the mayor’s office, confirmed the settlement and expressed the city’s relief at reaching a resolution after years of litigation.
Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak emphasized the importance of reviewing police practices to avoid similar incidents in the future. “We hope that the resolution of the case provides some measure of relief for Mr. Jok,” the mayor said. She also underscored the need for police training that focuses on de-escalation, minimal reliance on force, and effective communication.
History of Excessive Force in Burlington
This settlement follows a similar case last year, when Burlington paid $750,000 to settle a lawsuit involving another excessive force incident from September 2018. In that case, Officer Jason Bellavance was accused of shoving Jeremie Meli outside a bar without warning, causing Meli to fall and hit his head on a wall, knocking him unconscious.
Bellavance was suspended following an internal investigation and later left the department in 2020 under a separation agreement. His departure came amidst nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd and calls from Burlington protesters to fire multiple officers, including Bellavance.
Previous Incidents Highlighted in Lawsuits
In yet another case in 2019, a man named Doug Kilburn died two days after being struck in the head by a Burlington police officer. In 2021, a federal judge approved a $45,000 settlement with Kilburn’s family following a lawsuit against the city. These incidents have underscored the ongoing scrutiny of Burlington’s police department and its use of force.
