VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Legal Newsline) — The estate of a Black man who was fatally shot by Virginia state troopers is claiming civil rights violations.
The Estate of Coleman Sample, by Laurie Latham, filed a complaint July 31 in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court against Virginia State Police, Trooper Adam Turner and Trooper Larry Holmes alleging civil rights violations. The defendants removed the case to federal court on Aug. 18.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, Sample, a 23-year-old African American male, was driving on Highway I-64/I-264 in the Tidewater area of Virginia on Aug. 21, 2020. The plaintiff claims that troopers Turner and Holmes began a high-speed pursuit of Sample that led into a residential area.
The plaintiff further alleges that shots were fired that resulted in Sample being fatally shot in the back of his head and that bullets also went into surrounding structures in the area. The plaintiff alleges that during a physical struggle, Turner and Holmes violated Sample's constitutional rights from unreasonable search and seizure and excessive force.
The plaintiff also alleges that Turner and Holmes negligently acted in a dangerous and reckless manner and did not follow policies and procedures of the Virginia State Police, including training standards.
The troopers were not criminally charged in the shooting. The results of an investigation say Sample was shot by his own gun and that he was traveling 92 mph in a 55 mph zone.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief of more than $750,000, interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Julie Currin of The Equal Justice Center PC in Virginia Beach.