In today’s post, we will discuss the case of William Green who was killed on January 27th, 2020.
Police brutality and misconduct has been a heated topic in the news, especially throughout the summer of 2020.
With several notable tragic events happening throughout 2020, there has been much speculation and media coverage of various deaths caused by police brutality, including cases such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many others. In today’s post, we will discuss the case of William Green who was killed on January 27th, 2020.
The case of Mr. Green was handled by Baltimore attorneys at Murphy Falcon & Murphy. The settlement reached for an unlawful shooting by the police was the largest ever in the history of the state of Maryland, and one of the largest in the nation. If you or someone that you know has been the victim of police brutality, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our civil rights lawyers today. We will work with you to reach a settlement that you deserve.
At Murphy Falcon, we proudly fight for justice in a variety of police brutality and personal injury cases. Some of the other cases we have helped to resolve include:
Who Was William Green?
William Howard Green was a 43-year old man, native to Southeast Washington. Friends and family described him as being a fun-loving man who was full of life, love, humor, and affection. He worked to spread joy throughout his circle of influence, and was known to cook great BBQ. His mother, daughter, and son recall him being peaceful, non-confrontational, and especially full of love for his family.
The question then exists — how was this man who was loved by so many taken so heartlessly from our midst?
What Happened To William Green?
On the evening of January 27, 2020, Mr. Green was driving his car in Prince George’s County, Maryland when he accidentally struck three parked cars. Prince George’s county police officers were called to the scene to investigate. One of the officers was Michael A. Owen, Jr. When they arrived, they found Mr. Green asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle. They removed him from his car, handcuffed his hands behind his back, and put him in the front passenger seat of Mr. Owen’s police cruiser. William’s car was searched for evidence of weapons or drugs, and it was thought that he may have been under the influence at the time of his arrest.
Several minutes later, officer Owen got into the driver’s seat. Shortly thereafter, eyewitnesses heard gunshots ring out from inside the vehicle as Owen fired seven point-blank shots at Mr. Green. Six of these shots struck him in the chest, causing him to be pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Officer Owen described an altercation in the police cruiser, but investigators discovered no evidence of a struggle.
Response From Authorities
Within 24 hours of the murder, Owen was charged with Second Degree Murder, Manslaughter, Involuntary Manslaughter, First Degree Assault, and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence. The former police officer was a 10-year veteran of the police force, and has been jailed since the time of his arrest.
The Settlement In William Green’s Case
Throughout the court proceedings, Murphy Falcon & Murphy represented the family of William Green in court, and our law firm was able to receive a historic $20 million settlement with Prince George’s County. While there is no amount of money that can ever relieve the pain of loss felt by William’s family and community of friends, Prince George’s County representatives feel that the actions taken against Mr. Green have warranted this large settlement.
For more information or news about this case of police brutality against William Green, you can view our recent news articles.
Are You In Need Of Legal Representation?
Murphy Falcon & Murphy is a Baltimore-based law firm, and we specialize in complex civil, criminal, and civil rights litigation. If you have experienced police brutality or civil rights violations, get in touch with our powerhouse legal team today. Our team of seasoned trial lawyers has extensive experience in a variety of types of cases, and we are here to assist you as we seek a fair settlement on your behalf. With more than $900 million in verdicts and settlements, including greater than $75 million in police brutality cases throughout the country, our team is here to work with you. Contact us to learn more and to begin work on your own case.