Thursday, August 12, 2010

Daughters Of Undocumented Immigrant Awarded $1.85 Million In Civil Rights Wrongful Death Lawsuit Involving Off Duty Milwaukee Police Officer

Glover's estate would have to pay 1.85 million in civil rights lawsuit instead of the City of Milwaukee and on the second trial phase, an attorney representing Prado's daughters will argue that the Milwaukee Police Department is responsible for Glover's training that led to Prado's homicide.

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 12, 2010

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, a federal jury awarded $1.85 million to the daughthers of the late Wilbert Javier Prado, 25, who was brutally murdered by an off duty Milwaukee Police officer in Milwaukee's. South side on March 2005. The jury found former Officer Alfonzo Glover, 35, used unreasonable force and acted under the color of the law, but was not on duty. Which means, the Glover estate would be have to pay instead of the City of Milwaukee.
The second phase of the trial began Thursday, Attorney Megan Senatori representing Prado's daughters will argue his police training led to the murder.
The civil rights lawsuit was filed on behalf of Prado's two young children and his estate, as the plaintiff's and named the city and Glover's estate as defendants. Prado's family claims that Glover as an officer who used excessive deadly force as trained by the department.
Prado, an undocumented immigrant was shot at 19 times, including being shot 8 times in the back and legs with a 45 Cal. while being chased through an alley by then Officer Glover on March 6, 2005. Glover also reloaded and fired the last two shots killing Prado while he layed face down on the ground.
A Milwaukee County District Attorney inquest jury found that Glover's actions had been justified. Glover testified that Prado had followed him from work and began flashing his lights at him. Glover said he stopped near S. 9th St. and W. Ohio Ave. and identified himself as a police officer. At first, Glover told the inquest jury that he noticed that Prado was reaching for a weapon. But, Prado then sped away in his van almost hitting Glover. Officer Glover then took out his personal weapon and began shooting at Prado. Prado crashed his van while being hit several times by bullets from Glover. Prado fled through an alley injured, bleeding and frantically screaming numerous times "Please don't kill me...please don't kill me." Some neighbors in the area reported hearing Prado pleading for mercy.
Glover had discharged his weapon a total of 19 times, and police never found a weapon on Prado or at the scene, according to the investigation.
But months later after local Latino media and members of the Hispanic community rallied and pressured former Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann to open the investigation, McCann finally did. The independent investigation found evidence that a homicide had occurred and on May 2006 McCann filed first-degree intentional homicide charges against Glover, despite opposition from the Milwaukee Police Association(MPA).
In his 38 years as D.A., McCann had never charged an officer with a homicide. John Balcerzak, then president of the MPA called for McCann's resignation "due to irresponsible handling of the investigation of Officer Glover."
After being booked on homicide charges, Glover posted $25,000 bail, and went home. Glover then committed suicide at his South side residence the same day he was charged. No note was ever found, according to police.

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