GREENSBORO, Md.- The family of Anton Black has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit related to a 2018 case when the 19-year-old died in police custody in Caroline County.
Black died on Sept. 15, 2018 when he became unresponsive and died following a struggle with Greensboro police officers. A medical examiner said a congenital heart condition and stress from the struggle likely contributed to his death. His family claims that is not true.
WJZ reports that the 64-page lawsuit, which was filed with the backing of the Maryland chapter of the ACLU, names more than a dozen defendants - including three police officers involved in the arrest - the state medical examiner and the towns of Greensboro, Centreville and Ridgely, Md. The lawsuit alleges "racial bias" and "excessive force" by police and alleges police failed to "adequately screen, train and supervise their officers."
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that body cam footage shows a civilian, not listed as a defendant, assisted in Black's arrest. The family's attorney argues the officers got the help of a person without proper training.
The lawsuit also mentioned that on Sept. 5, Black was released from the mental hospital after suffering from mania and delusions. His arrest and subsequent death happened 10 days later.