HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Jury deliberations are underway on Thursday in a rare civil trial involving the City of Houston and a Houston Police Department officer over a crash that killed a man nearly four years ago.
The jury will decide whether the City of Houston must pay out millions of dollars to the family of Charles Payne, who died after an officer crashed into him on the day after Christmas in 2021.
Payne’s car was hit by a police car driven by HPD Officer Christopher Cabrera, who, a lawsuit filed by Payne’s family claims, was speeding when he crashed into him.
An investigation found Cabrera was going 70 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone.
Payne’s family says the city’s lax policies on how fast officers can speed ultimately led to his death.
As the jury continues deliberating on Thursday, ABC13 learned that the jurors have asked two questions: one about police training and another asking for clarity on a part of the jury charge.
Eyewitness News will have team coverage on the trial and will update this post if and when a verdict is reached.
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