CT Towns Pay Out Big for Deadly SWAT Drug Raid

By Phillip Smith
Drug War Chronicle
February 26, 2013

Five Connecticut towns whose SWAT team killed an unarmed man during a 2008 drug raid have agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the man’s family. Another lawsuit, filed by the man who owned the home that was raided, is pending.

In a joint statement, officials from Easton, Monroe, Trumbull, Wilton and Darien all maintained their police were not responsible for the death of Gonzalo Guizanthat day. Eaton First Selectman Thomas Herrmann spoke for all five towns.

“While the defendants, police departments and officers from Darien, Easton, Trumbull, Monroe and Wilton maintain they were not responsible for the unfortunate death of Mr. Guizan, the insurers for the defendants, who will bear the full cost of the settlement, believed that it was best to resolve the matter rather than incur further attorneys’ fees, which were anticipated to be significant,” Hermann said. “The defendants concurred, further believing it was important to facilitate the Guizan family being relieved of the combined burden of litigation.”Continue HERE