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BALTIMORE (WBFF) - The family of Korryn Gaines, the 23-year-old woman killed by Baltimore County police in 2016, and their attorney are calling an appeals court’s opinion released late Wednesday a victory.
The court reinstates a $38 million jury verdict award.
It’s another turn of events for the Gaines family. Rhanda Dormeus, Gaines’ mother, said she’s simply feeling joy.
“There’s joy because finally, there is justice. Finally my daughter, Korryn Gaines, whose name has been smeared and people have misjudged, they had their opinions about her, now they see that she is not a villain,“ said Dormeus.
In an opinion released late Wednesday, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled the lower court abused its discretion in throwing out the jury‘s decision to award Gaines’ family the money.
“I’m so glad that the special appeals court saw it for what it was and didn’t make it a political statement by affirming a bad decision,“ said J. Wyndal Gordon, the family’s attorney.
Baltimore County police shot and killed Gaines inside her Randallstown apartment in 2016. Gaines went live on Facebook, she could be seen holding a rifle with her five-year-old son Kodi close by.
Police moved in after a standoff that lasted hours. Cpl. Royce Ruby fired the first shot, killing games and injuring her son. At trial, prosecutors said police shot in self-defense. But a jury called the shooting unreasonable and violated the victims‘ civil rights.
The jury awarded the family $38 million, but the judge overturned the verdict. But now, a higher court reinstates it.
“This means that we won. It’s a big victory for us,“ said Gordon.
“My [blood] pressure is probably through the roof right now, because I’m bursting inside. I really am,“ said Dormeus.
A spokesman for Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski says county attorneys are reviewing the opinion.
Gordon says county attorneys could appeal to the state’s highest court, but added that’s unlikely.
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