Family Of Florida Woman Accidentally Shot By Police Gets $4 Million Settlement

Jet, July 23, 2001

The family of a Black woman who was killed accidentally by an Orlando, FL, police officer was recently offered $4 million to settle its claims of criminal negligence and civil rights violations.

The family was represented by famed attorneys Johnnie Cochran and Willie Gary.

Andrea Hall was being held hostage by a White murder suspect when she was killed accidentally by fin Orlando police sniper during a police standoff (JET, Aug. 14, 2000). The sniper was aiming for murder suspect Jamie Dean Petron, 41, when Andrea Hall, 40, was hit, police said.

"Nothing will bring my sister back," said Thelma Mills after the settlement was announced. "These children are still without a mother. But, at least, the money being invested over the long term will give them a stable financial future."

The city of Orlando and the Orange County Sheriffs Department jointly agreed to the settlement which will go to Hall's children, Nicolette and Nicolas.

When asked if the amount was satisfactory, Mills replied, "Well, I trust in God and these lawyers. They are the best available and I'm taking their advice. We got through it."

But Carl Hall, Andrea's former husband, was still a bit skeptical. "No one has yet apologized (for the shooting death)," he said. As part of the settlement, he asked that a meeting between the family, the Mayor, and the Police and Sheriffs Department be held. "No one wants to admit guilt for not following proper procedures."

Cochran remarked, "It was never just about money; it was about new policies being implemented, new procedures and training. They met us more than halfway."

Gary's legal partner Lorenzo Williams said, "It was about seeing that no citizen, regardless of ethnicity, would ever have to face this pain and misfortune again."