Camden County, New Jersey, will pay a victim of police brutality $10 million after he was paralyzed by an officer in 2014.
Xavier Ingram was outside of a liquor store in June 2014 when he began to run from deputies because he had an outstanding warrant for a driving violation. During the chase, Ingram fell to the ground and was handcuffed by officers. The officers stomped on his neck as he lay defenseless and posed no threat to them. He was then denied medical care after his legs went completely numb. At the time, they claimed Ingram was injured by the fall and that he had drugs and a gun on him in a sloppy attempt to dismiss the viciousness of the attack. Those charges against Ingram were dropped after evidence suggested that the items were planted on him.
Camden County continues to deny any wrongdoing, despite the settlement with Ingram.
“We will be settling the case with Mr. Ingram, (but) we do not believe this is the right decision,” said Camden County spokesperson Dan Keashen.
However, the 29-year-old’s attorney Beth G. Baldinger has maintained that his brutal injury was unjustified.
“Mr. Ingram was not resisting, did not threaten the officers, and there was no justification for any use of force,” Baldinger said.
The father of four, who was just 20-years-old at the time of the assault, is now a quadriplegic who receives 24-hour nursing home care.
Camden County Police officers involved in the attack, Nicholas Marchiafava, and Antonio Gennetta, are still employed with the department. Jeremy Merck is no longer on the force.
