Darron M. Shaw v. David Coleman and Prince George's County

Darron M. Shaw, age 32, sued David Coleman, a county officer, and Prince George's County on a governmental tort claim theory claiming that Coleman wrongfully shot and wounded him on New Year's Day during 2006.The shooting occurred about 4 a.m., after Shaw, his then-girlfriend and two friends left a club in District Heights. The girlfriend, LaToya Dunn, who has since become Shaw's wife, and the friends got into a car to drive home, and Shaw walked. At an intersection, Dunn and Shaw exchanged words. As they were talking, a car pulled up, and someone ordered Shaw to put his arms in the air. Despite the fact that he complied, he was shot twice by Coleman who fired five shots.

The County charged Shaw with assault and with a weapons violation. He was acquitted on the weapons charge but convicted on the assault charge.

Coleman claimed that he shot Shaw because he believed that he was holding a gun. The defense claimed that the gun was found around the corner from the shooting scene and that Shaw tossed the gun that defendants claimed that he was holding into the car in which Dunn was riding.

Plaintiff's verdict for $2.4 million including nearly $32,000 for past and future medical expenses, more than $5,000 for lost wages, and $2.4 million for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

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Editor's Note: Under state law, civil awards for non-economic damages are capped at $665,000 for incidents that occurred during the time frame of the shooting, veteran civil plaintiff attorneys said. Also, awards against local governments in certain civil cases are capped at $200,000.