The family of a man who died in police custody is filing a $50 million tort claim against the city of Federal Way.
Leon Davis died at Saint Francis Hospital back in March. The King County Medical Examiner says he died from a heart attack, but they’re investigating it as a homicide.
The medical examiner found that his heart attack was brought on by being restrained face down for about 25 minutes while experiencing alcohol withdrawal syndrome. He also reportedly had blunt force injuries to his neck, head, face, and wrists.
Shannice Johnson, Leon Davis’ older sister, expressed disbelief over how quickly her brother died after seeking medical treatment.
“It’s hard to register the fact that he’s gone. He went to the hospital for help and then and he’s gone in two days,” Johnson said.
She emphasized the family’s demand for full disclosure regarding what happened during the encounter: “Justice and accountability we want transparency. People should be able to see, not that I want my brother’s last moments to be on tv anything like that, I just need to know.”
In the tort claim, the family attorney is calling for a criminal investigation into potential manslaughter charges. They say Federal Way police used unnecessary and unreasonable force.
The family’s attorney also says they’re renewing calls for the immediate release of body-camera video of the incident, saying it would give them — and the public — clarity on what happened.
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