CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – A newspaper’s analysis shows legal settlements from shootings involving officers from South Carolina municipalities have totaled about $23 million since 2009.
The Post and Courier reports (http://goo.gl/fXZ0jG ) that its analysis shows that more than $17 million in the legal settlements have come this year.
Those include the $10 million dollar settlement in the shooting death of a former mayor in Cottageville and the $6.5 million settlement in a shooting of an unarmed man by a North Charleston police officer.
Insurers for the municipalities paid the bulk of the settlements, which typically stem from wrongful death or excessive force lawsuits.
But the settlements can lead to higher insurance premiums that are ultimately paid by taxpayers.
