Facts

On Aug. 6, 2003, 47-year-old Glen Willis, who had been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, encountered Oakland police officers Keith Clement and Tyler Fought, after his sister, Lavita Oliver, called the police because Willis stopped taking his medication and required medical care. During an altercation with the officers, Willis stabbed Clement with a 14-inch knife. The officers ultimately fatally shot Willis. Oliver and Willis's mother, Lillie Willis, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the officers and the City of Oakland.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs claimed that Willis did not pose a threat and that the police were not properly trained with respect to interacting with mentally ill individuals.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendants argued that the shooting was justified because the officers needed to shoot Willis following the stabbing.

Result

Defendant will pay $40,000 in settlement of the action.