BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — Two Baltimore County police officers are facing a wrongful death lawsuit after the shooting of a mentally ill man.
The Estate of Jamaal Taylor by personal representative Marah O'Neal Taylor, Marah O'Neal-Taylor as mother and next friend of C.T., minor child of the defendant, and others filed a complaint Sept. 28. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against Baltimore County, Officer Wise and Officer Brocato, alleging civil rights violations and other claims.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, officers Wise and Brocato responded to multiple 911 calls at Shawan Road in Hunt Valley on Sept. 29, 2019. They claim that the officers had prior knowledge of decedent Jamaal Taylor's mental illnesses and that they immediately opened fired on him upon arriving.
The plaintiff alleges that Taylor, who was believed to be in possession of a knife, was far enough away that he did not pose a threat to their safety. The plaintiffs also allege that Taylor was walking slowly away from the officers, which allowed them time to communicate and de-escalate the situation or call the Baltimore County Crisis Response Unit. The plaintiffs claim that the officers' actions of aggressively escalating the situation by immediately drawing their weapons led to Taylor's death and the violation of his constitutional rights.
The plaintiffs also name several other Baltimore County Police shootings involving those with mental health issues dating back to 2016 and claim the department's lack of officer supervision and training.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by James Sweeting, III of The Law Offices of James Sweeting, III in Baltimore.