More than two and a half years after unarmed 18-year-old Ramarley Graham was murdered by police in his home, some justice has been served
In a civil hearing, it has been decided that the NYPD and the City of New York are being held accountable for the death of 18-year-old Ramarley Graham.
On Feb. 2, 2012, police officers from the 42nd Precinct’s Street Task Force chased Graham from White Plains Road and East 228th Street to his residence at 749 E. 229th St. in the Wakefield section of the Bronx. The officers were investigating a drug deal and thought Graham had a gun on him.
NYPD Officer Richard Haste chased Graham, broke into his home and shot him, killing him in his bathroom. A weapon was never recovered.
New York Law Department spokesman Nicholas Paolucci says,
This was a tragic case. After evaluating all the facts, and consulting with key stakeholders such as the NYPD, it was determined that settling the matter was in the best interest of the city.”
The Graham family urged the federal government to step in after a grand jury declined to re-indict Haste on manslaughter charges, but instead Graham’s estate will receive $2.95 million and other family members including his brother, grandmother, and mother will the get the remaining $990,000.
Constance Malcolm, Ramarley Graham’s mother, said in a statement:
No amount of money or settlement will bring back Ramarley. We want NYPD officer Richard Haste and all other officers who were present and responsible held accountable. They should be charged and prosecuted for murdering our son.”
Officer Haste was originally indicted for manslaughter by a Bronx jury in May 2014, but the judge dismissed the case on a technicality. In August that same year, Haste testified before a second grand jury that declined to indict him. The Graham family has agreed to a $3.9 million settlement with the city, but fact is no amount of money will ever bring Ramarley back.
From the day they took my son I made him a promise to fight for justice.”
-Franclot Graham (Ramarley’s father)
-Infinite Wiz(@InfiniteWiz)
