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A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Department of Law to compromise and settle the claims of Sasha Palmer against the Metropolitan Government in the amount of $42,500.00, with said amount to be paid from the Judgments and Losses Fund.
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WHEREAS, Sasha Palmer filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, which remains pending against the Metropolitan Government, alleging claims under the Second, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, arising out of her brief detention during an investigation into a stolen vehicle; and,
WHEREAS, after investigation, the Metropolitan Department of Law believes that settlement listed in Section 1 is fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Metropolitan Government and recommends that any and all claims or causes of action brought or that could have been brought by Sasha Palmer related to the events detailed above be compromised and settled for $42,500.00, and that this amount be paid from the Judgments and Losses Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1: The Metropolitan Department of Law is authorized to compromise and settle the claims of Sasha Palmer against the Metropolitan Government in the amount of $42,500.00 with said amount to be paid from the Judgments and Losses Fund.
Section 2: This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
On November 15, 2023, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (“MNPD”) officers were investigating a stolen truck in Antioch. A witness told an MNPD sergeant that two black teenage boys had stolen the truck and that one of them had a gun. Officers soon spotted the truck on Murfreesboro Pike. The truck crashed in the parking lot, and the teenagers left the vehicle and ran away.
At the same time, Sasha Palmer was walking along Murfreesboro Pike and saw the truck as it was about to crash. She immediately ran the other way. An eyewitness to the wreck alerted the same MNPD sergeant that he had seen a woman get out of the truck who matched Ms. Palmer’s description. Other officers radioed that Ms. Palmer had nearly been hit by the truck, but the sergeant did not hear this and radioed officers to detain her.
Soon after, an MNPD officer approached Ms. Palmer, asked her to put her hands up, and then handcuffed her. The officer patted her down, placed her in the back of a patrol car, and searched her purse over her objections. An officer found Ms. Palmer’s handgun, which she carried legally. She was handcuffed for about nine minutes.
Other officers stated that Ms. Palmer was not involved in the incident, and she was uncuffed less than two minutes later. The MNPD sergeant explained the situation to Ms. Palmer. She accepted a ride home from the MNPD officer, who secured the gun during the drive and gave it back to Ms. Palmer when she left.
Ms. Palmer filed a complaint with the Office of Professional Accountability, which exonerated two of the officers and found they lawfully searched Ms. Palmer incident to an arrest. Ms. Palmer then filed a federal lawsuit against the MNPD officers the Metropolitan Government alleging violations of the Fourth Amendment, Second Amendment and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and municipal liability against the Metropolitan Government. The Department of Law determined that conflicts of interest existed and advised the individuals to retain outside counsel.
The federal district court granted motions to dismiss all claims against the Metropolitan Government. Ms. Palmer appealed, and the case went to mediation. The Department of Law estimates that it would cost $60,000 for outside counsel to brief the appeal. If any part of the case is reversed, potential costs could dramatically increase.
The parties have participated in settlement negotiations and have agreed upon the settlement amount of $42,500, subject to approval from the Metropolitan Council. The Department of Law recommends settlement of Ms. Palmer’ claims for a combined $42,500.
Fiscal Note: The total settlement amount is $42,500. This settlement would be the 3rd payment, after approval by Metropolitan Council, from the Judgment and Losses Fund in FY26 for a cumulative total of $280,000. The fund balance would be $18,554,305 after this payment.