Trial Magazine

After James Britt pulled over to change his tire, police arrived and arrested him for being drunk in public. Britt became combative, and the police officers held him facedown on the ground for approximately 15 minutes. When EMT technicians arrived on the scene, they injected Britt with ketamine. He suffered cardiac arrest, which led to his death two weeks later. The coroner ruled the death a homicide that resulted from asphyxiation and ketamine intoxication. Britt is survived by his wife and young son.

The claimant asserted that the town of Mount Pleasant, S.C., was liable for the officers’ negligence and deprivation of Britt’s civil rights.

The parties settled for $3 million before suit was filed.

Citation: In re Britt, settled before filing, Sept. 17, 2020.

Claimant Counsel: AAJ member W. Mullins McLeod Jr., AAJ member Michael Cooper, and Kevin Holmes, all of Charleston, S.C.