A record $2 million settlement has been offered by the city of Fort Worth to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man who was Tased to death during a confrontation with police. Brian Eberstein, Texas’ Taser attorney and legal counsel for the plaintiff stated, “The city has never paid this kind of money before, so its obvious they recognize the wrong done to this family.”  Dallas Morning News reported that the City Council is scheduled to vote on the settlement 

on Tuesday, May 18, which would make it the biggest settlement Fort Worth has ever offered. On April 18, 2009, Michael Patrick Jacobs Jr., 24, died after a Taser was held to him for 54 seconds by Fort Worth police officer.

 

Jacobs, who suffers from schizophrenia, apparently stopped taking his medication, which caused him to become aggressive, prompting his parents to call police. When officers arrived, in an attempt to calm him down, he was warned that he would be Tasered. Jacobs then approached the officer and said, “Go ahead, I’ve always wanted to see what that feels like anyways.” Fort Worth Police Department Officer, Stephanie A. Phillips, then used her Taser on Jacobs, holding down the trigger for some 49 seconds while the officer continued to administer the continuous electrical shock of 50,000 volts. Michael was left lying face down on the ground with his hands across his chest.