In December, Emancipate NC announced a major civil rights lawsuit against the City of Raleigh on behalf of the estate of Darryl Tyree Williams. Mr. Williams died after being tased six times by Raleigh police officers, including, the estate alleged, while he was unconscious and handcuffed. The Complaint also alleged that Williams pleaded with officers and told them he had a heart condition. Mr. Williams’ death raised urgent questions about excessive force, accountability, and the use of tasers by law enforcement. The City and individual officers denied and continue to deny the allegations.
In March 2025, a federal judge rejected the City of Raleigh’s attempt to have the case dismissed, allowing the lawsuit to move forward. In the wake of the court’s ruling, and following continued litigation and advocacy, the case was successfully settled for $975,000. We believe this settlement represents the largest recovery by a plaintiff in a federal taser-related death case to be brought against a police department in the Fourth Circuit. While no settlement can undo the harm done or replace Mr. Williams’ life, this outcome represents a meaningful step toward accountability and underscores the importance of persistent legal advocacy in the fight for justice.
Emancipate NC remains committed to standing with families impacted by police violence and to using the courts as a tool to challenge unlawful and inhumane practices. The organization also thanks our co-counsel in this case, DiCello Levitt LLP and The Ben Crump Law Firm, for their advocacy on behalf of the Williams family.