Denver and Officer Appeal Multi-Million Dollar Damages in George Floyd Protest Case

Denver and a city police officer are appealing a federal jury’s orders to pay millions in damages to demonstrators injured during the 2020 protests over George Floyd’s death.

In an appeal filed on Dec. 23, the city and county argued that the case should be retried or dismissed due to several errors during the initial trial. Denver is also seeking a reduction in the $14 million compensatory damages awarded to twelve plaintiffs.

Officer Jonathan Christian is appealing the $50,000 punitive damages he was ordered to pay to Elisabeth Epps, a former state representative who claimed Christian shot her with a pepper ball.

The city and county were also ordered to pay $1 million to Epps and other plaintiffs, who have not yet received any payment, according to attorney Elizabeth Wang.

The plaintiffs were allegedly shot with pepper balls and sponge rounds and exposed to chemical munitions despite peacefully protesting. They suffered injuries like broken bones, bruises, and cuts.

After the trial, Denver requested a reduction in damages, but the judge declined to lower the $14 million owed by the city, although Christian’s damages were reduced from $250,000 to $50,000 in 2022.

Wang stated that plaintiffs intend to respond to Denver’s appeal by Feb. 21.

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Original Publication Date: January 25, 2025 at 11:29 AM MST