A federal jury awarded $500,000 to Erin Smith, the widow of Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, who died by suicide nine days after defending the U.S. Capitol from rioters on January 6, 2021. The jury found chiropractor David Walls-Kaufman, 69, liable for assaulting Smith during the riot, awarding Erin $380,000 in punitive damages and $60,000 in compensatory damages for the assault, plus $60,000 for Jeffrey Smith’s pain and suffering.
The judge had previously dismissed Erin’s wrongful-death claim against Walls-Kaufman, stating that his actions could not be reasonably linked to Smith’s death. The assault, which was recorded on the officer’s body camera, reportedly involved Walls-Kaufman striking Smith with his own baton, leading to a concussion and subsequent psychological trauma that contributed to Smith’s suicide.
Walls-Kaufman expressed disbelief at the verdict, maintaining that he did not strike the officer and suggesting that Smith’s injuries were sustained later during the riot. Despite this, the D.C. Police and Firefighters’ Retirement Board previously determined Smith’s injury was a direct cause of his death.
In addition to the financial award, Walls-Kaufman had previously served a 60-day prison sentence related to his actions during the riot. The trial underscored the ongoing impact of the January 6 events on law enforcement, with over 100 officers injured and two other officers dying by suicide afterward, illustrating the significant psychological toll stemming from the Capitol attack.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
