Maricopa County officials have agreed to a $4.05 million settlement for the family of Akeem Terrell, a 31-year-old man who died in 2021 while restrained in a Phoenix jail cell. The settlement comes nearly four years after the incident, which sparked a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging excessive force and inadequate medical care.
Arrest During a Mental Health Crisis
Terrell’s family claimed in their lawsuit that he was experiencing a mental health crisis on New Year’s Day 2021 when he was arrested after refusing to leave a party. Described as suffering a psychotic episode, Terrell was taken into custody by Phoenix police.
According to the lawsuit, up to seven officers restrained Terrell inside a jail isolation cell while attempting to change his handcuffs. Body camera footage reportedly showed officers leaving Terrell face-down and motionless on the floor after restraining him.
Delayed Medical Assistance Alleged
The lawsuit further alleged that law enforcement delayed summoning medical help for Terrell, who was 6-foot-2 and weighed 433 pounds. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Jesse Showalter, the family’s attorney, emphasized that Terrell’s history of mental illness and his paranoid behavior prior to the arrest highlighted the need for a more compassionate response from authorities.
Multiple Settlements for Terrell’s Death
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve the $4.05 million settlement for Terrell’s family. This follows a separate $800,000 settlement approved two months ago by the Phoenix City Council for the involvement of its police officers in the incident.
Ongoing Questions and Accountability
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has not yet commented on the settlement or the details surrounding Terrell’s death. The case has reignited debates about law enforcement’s handling of individuals in mental health crises and the responsibilities of officers and jail personnel in ensuring detainees’ safety.
