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Jury In Korryn Gaines Civil Trial Awards Her Family $37M In Damages

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A jury in the wrongful death civil trial of Korryn Gaines has awarded her family $37 million.

The jury found Friday that the first shot Baltimore County Cpl. Royce Ruby fired at Gaines was not objectively reasonable.

Gaines was killed during a six-hours standoff in 2016 at her Randallstown apartment after pointing a shotgun at officers trying to serve an arrest warrant stemming from a traffic stop that included disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Photos from the scene were released Friday by family attorney J. Wyndal Gordon.

gaines-exhibit-pic
Courtesy: J. Wyndal Gordon
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Courtesy: J. Wyndal Gordon

Attorneys for Gaines' family claimed officers used excessive force when they fatally shot her and injured her 5-year-old son, Kodi Gaines. They also say Baltimore County police were reckless, irresponsible and violated her rights by illegally entering her apartment.

"My daughter will never be back, I don't care how many dollars they give us -- $38, $108 million, I couldn't get my daughter back if I begged for it," said Korryn's mother, Rhanda Doremus.

Gaines' son will receive $32 million of the $37 million.

County prosecutors previously found Officer Ruby's shooting legally justified and charges weren't filed.

An all-female jury was seated in the civil trial and only took a few hours to deliberate three-weeks worth of testimony.

"We're ecstatic," said Gordon, who wore a Colin Kaepernick jersey while making his remarks outside the courthouse. "This was a long journey to justice. A lot of hard work. A lot of sleepless nights... the jury did their work, they came up with a verdict that they believe was fair. They came up with an award that they felt was just. And we don't have anything else to ask."

The family does say they would still like to see Officer Ruby fired, however.

"This guy knowingly assassinated my daughter and injured my grandson," said Doremus.

Gordon called Ruby a sick individual and an evil person.

The family says the verdict makes a statement like never before.

"This is a great statement on behalf of many who have been victimized by police officers," said family attorney Kenneth Ravenell.

Shortly after the verdict came down, Baltimore County Attorney Mike Field issued the following statement.

"A mother died, a child was unintentionally injured, and police officers were placed in mortal danger. By any account, this was a tragic situation. The County is disappointed with the verdict and is reviewing all of its options, including an appeal."

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