Oakland Pays $1.5 million to Black Man Paralyzed in Confrontation with Police

The Oakland City Council Tuesday night agreed to pay $1.5 million to a man who was injured while fleeing from police in 2003. Randy Murphy, who sued the city in federal court alleging the officers used excessive force, was standing on a street corner in West Oakland on Oct. 23, 2003, when he was approached by police officers who believed he was on parole or probation, said Chief Assistant City Attorney Barbara J. Parker. The officers believed they saw Murphy, then 28, swallow cocaine in an attempt to avoid arrest and prosecution, Parker added. A scuffle followed, and Murphy fled, jumping over a fence; however, Murphy fell and landed on his head, injuring his spine and causing permanent damage, she said. Murphy, who was paralyzed, will need professional care for the rest of his life, Parker said. No cocaine was found, she added. The settlement is among the largest awarded to an individual by the city in a police misconduct case in the past several years. [more]