The city of Albuquerque has been ordered to pay more than $6 million for the wrongful death of a man killed by Albuquerque police. This is one of several cases that have been under investigation.
A New Mexico district judge ruled two Albuquerque police officers did not act in self-defense when they punched and shot Christopher Torres. The 27-year-old, who suffered from schizophrenia, was shot at close range in his backyard in 2011.
The judge also ruled the use of deadly force violated Torres' constitutional rights. The officers were serving an arrest warrant, but failed to present it or contact Torres’ Crisis Intervention Team officer or family before confronting him. Instead, the judge said, the officers escalated the issue by confronting him.
The city of Albuquerque is in negotiations with the U.S. Justice Department on several other cases involving fatal shootings and the Albuquerque Police Department. DOJ is expected to release a draft of its decree over police reform later this week.
