Antonio Johnson

Less-than-lethal force

Antonio Johnson was pulled over because officers suspected he was driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. One officer was able to handcuff the six foot five inch, 230 pound Johnson immediately attempted to slip the cuffs. An eight minute struggle ensued in which Johnson was tasered and beaten with a baton multiple times. Johnson was semi-conscious when an ambulance arrived and died several hours later in the hospital. According to the county medical examiner, Johnson's death was caused by advanced heart and lung disease and PCP intoxication aggravated by the struggle. During settlement conference, Johnson's family argued the tasing and the beating were the main cause of death. The family was awarded just $30,000, their cost of litigation.