City of Indianapolis and 2 IMPD officers named in wrongful death lawsuit

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Wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against the City of Indianapolis and two officers with the Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD).
Wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against the City of Indianapolis and two officers with the Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD). (Getty Images)

Wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against the City of Indianapolis and two officers with the Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD).

The lawsuits were filed in the Marion County Superior Courts on Oct. 24, citing the wrongful deaths of two Indianapolis residents, Darcel Edwards and Leandre Houston, as a result of shootings committed by IMPD officers over the past few years. Both men were African American. 

The wrongful death lawsuits seek damages and a trial by jury. Attorney Nathaniel Lee of Lee, Cossell & Feagley, LLP represents both plaintiffs, Estate of Darcel Edwards and Estate of Leandre Houston.

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The IMPD, which operates under the guidance and director of the City of Indianapolis municipal corporation, has come under scrutiny over the last 12 months due to the ā€œextreme number of shootings committed by those who are charged with protection and service,ā€ according to a press release, which cites a Sept. 11 article published in the Indianapolis Star.

The lawsuits also allege the City of Indianapolis and IMPD not only committed the shootings, but also ā€œintentionally interfered with the evidenceā€ necessary to provide details of the crimes being investigated, thus ā€œprejudicing any potential claims or defenses that could be raised by the Plaintiff.ā€

Estate Personal Representatives, Roselyn Edwards Rogers and Shayla Houston and their attorney will be available for questions during a press conference at 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Lee, Cossell & Feagley, LLP, 531 E. Market St.