After a lengthy legal battle spanning six years, the family of an Alabama man killed by police will receive a $750,000 settlement.
The agreement resolves a federal civil rights lawsuit following a jury’s initial award of $4.5 million nearly a year ago.
Case Background
On June 15, 2019, Birmingham police officer Aric Mitchell attempted to pull over Jamarcus Moore after reportedly smelling marijuana coming from Moore’s vehicle. According to court documents, Moore fled because he had an outstanding warrant related to drug possession charges.
What followed was a 20-minute high-speed chase that crossed through six municipal jurisdictions before ending when Officer Mitchell intentionally collided with Moore’s car to stop him.
Within seconds of exiting his police vehicle, Mitchell fired multiple shots through the driver’s side window, fatally striking Moore and injuring passenger Samantha Hardin, breaking her leg. All parties involved were Black.
The Settlement Details
The Birmingham City Council voted in January 2025 to approve the $750,000 settlement, according to the council meeting agenda. Notably, the agreement will not include an admission of liability by the city.
Civil rights attorney Johnathan Austin, who represented Moore’s family and Hardin in the joint lawsuit, emphasized that the monetary value wasn’t the primary concern for his clients.
“The monetary value was not as important as the jury finding that the city was liable, and in particular, that officer Mitchell was liable for the death of Mr. Moore,” Austin stated. “Our clients wanted justice, and justice was served.”
The Original Verdict
The settlement comes after significant legal developments in the case. Last year, a federal jury found that Officer Mitchell had used excessive force and awarded the plaintiffs $4.5 million. However, U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco later reduced this amount to $2.75 million in August.
The city and Officer Mitchell appealed that ruling shortly afterward, leading to the current settlement negotiations and eventual agreement on the $750,000 figure—a substantial reduction from both the original jury award and the judge’s adjusted amount.
Evidence in the Case
Officer Mitchell initially told internal affairs investigators that Moore had reached for his gun and that there had been a physical struggle before the shooting. However, body camera footage painted a different picture.
The footage appeared to show Mitchell firing multiple shots through Moore’s driver’s side window from several feet away, less than 10 seconds after exiting his police car. Moore was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the four-day trial, David Rockett, the Internal Affairs commander for the Birmingham Police Department, testified that there could have been an “alternate ending” to the fatal encounter.
According to court documents, Rockett stated that Mitchell should have “given verbal commands for the subject to exit the car with their hands in the air and lay down on the pavement and be placed in custody.”
Civil Rights Claims in Alabama
This case highlights several important aspects of civil rights litigation in Alabama:
- Federal vs. State Claims: Civil rights violations involving law enforcement are often pursued in federal court under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act, which provides a pathway for individuals to sue government officials who have violated their constitutional rights.
- Excessive Force Standards: When evaluating excessive force claims, courts consider whether the officer’s actions were “objectively reasonable” under the circumstances. This includes factors such as the severity of the crime, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat, and whether they were actively resisting arrest.
- Municipal Liability: Cities and counties can be held liable when their policies, practices, or failure to train officers adequately leads to constitutional violations.
- Settlement Dynamics: As this case demonstrates, even after a jury verdict, settlements may occur during the appeals process, often resulting in reduced payouts but more immediate resolution for the families involved.
Understanding these legal frameworks is essential for Alabama families seeking justice through the civil court system when excessive force or misconduct by law enforcement has resulted in injury or death.
What This Means for Police Accountability
The resolution of this case represents part of a broader national conversation about police accountability and the use of force. The discrepancy between Officer Mitchell’s initial account and what body camera footage revealed underscores the critical importance of video evidence in these cases.
For Alabama communities, particularly those concerned about policing practices, this settlement demonstrates that the legal system can provide some measure of accountability, even if the final monetary compensation is less than initially awarded.
Attorney Austin noted that the settlement offered closure to Moore and Hardin’s families after six years of legal proceedings.
“Every Thanksgiving, every Christmas, every birthday, every holiday, every Valentine’s Day, they’re going to miss him — but they’re not going to have to relive this in the public,” said Austin.
How Baxley Maniscalco Can Help
If you or your family has experienced a wrongful death, personal injury, or civil rights violation at the hands of law enforcement or other government entities in Alabama, understanding your legal options is crucial.
These cases involve complex legal standards and specific procedural requirements that differ from ordinary personal injury claims.
At Baxley Maniscalco, our experienced attorneys can evaluate your case, explain the legal pathways available to you, and fight to hold responsible parties accountable.
We understand the emotional and financial toll these situations take on families, and we’re committed to pursuing justice for our clients through every available legal avenue.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
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