A recent development in a case involving the death of George Robinson in Mississippi has seen his sister, Bettersten Wade, reject a settlement offered by the city of Jackson. Robinson passed away in January 2019, shortly after an encounter with three Jackson police officers who pulled him from a car while searching for a murder suspect.
The Jackson City Council approved a payment of $17,786 to settle the lawsuit filed by Robinson's relatives, including Wade. However, the settlement did not imply any admission of liability by the city or the officers involved. The family's attorney, Dennis Sweet III, stated that the city breached a confidentiality agreement by publicly disclosing the settlement amount, prompting Wade to continue legal action against the city.
Robinson's family had also reached a separate settlement with an ambulance company. The lawsuit alleged that the officers had violently assaulted Robinson, who was not involved in any criminal activity and posed no threat during the incident. Robinson, who had recently suffered a stroke and was on medication, passed away two days after the encounter due to brain bleeding.
In a related case, charges against two officers were dropped, while another officer was initially convicted of culpable negligence manslaughter but had the conviction overturned on appeal. Wade's family has faced additional tragedy, as her son, Dexter Wade, was fatally struck by an off-duty police officer in March 2023. The handling of Dexter Wade's burial, including a delayed notification to his mother and the subsequent discovery of personal belongings, has raised further concerns.
The Wade family, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, held a funeral for Dexter Wade after his body was exhumed and an independent autopsy conducted. These events underscore ongoing challenges related to police conduct and accountability in Mississippi.
