Dontrell Stephens was shot and paralyzed by then-Deputy Adam Lin in September 2013 when Lin mistook Stephens’ cell phone for a gun. Stephens, now 23, had been stopped for riding his bicycle into traffic.
In February 2016, a jury awarded him $23.1 million, finding the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and now-Sergeant Lin civilly liable. The amount was eventually lowered to $22.4 million, but Stephens has yet to receive a nickel, as the state legislature must approve any payouts over $200,000.
On Saturday, Lin unexpectedly began paying for Stephens’ medical bills when a court order was delivered to and swiftly acted upon at Lin’s residence. The order allowed the confiscation of nearly all of Lin’s property, including “his car, couch, coffee tables, end tables, lamps, his collection of Samurai swords, flatscreen TV, iron, ironing board, computer, golf clubs, bicycle, tools, and almost all of his non-Sheriff's Office clothing,” the Sun-Sentinel reported based on statements from Stephens’ attorney.
After reading the court order, Lin was shaking before he fainted and collapsed, Jack Scarola, Stephens’ attorney, told the newspaper. The lawyer said Lin was revived by paramedics at the scene, as movers took his things out of his home and into a moving truck.
“I don't think we took any shoes and I don't think we took any underwear,” Jack Scarola said, but added, “shirts and pants and shorts are all gone, jackets.”
“We left behind cups and saucers and dishes,” Stephens’ lawyer continued. “There's nothing of any significant value in those.”
CLICK FOR MORE OF THIS NONSENSE
Posts
