The District of Columbia is in court Monday to defend a police officer in a civil case whom it also is trying to fire over a fatal shooting, according to court documents.
The family of Jason L. Taft is suing the District for $25 million, claiming that D.C. Detective Kevin McConnell wrongfully shot and killed Taft outside a carryout in Southeast Washington.
The family’s attorney points to a internal affairs report that determined the shooting was not justified and to a disciplinary review that is seeking to fire McConnell over the incident.
The District is trying to prevent that evidence from being heard, arguing that the findings don’t address the issues that will be presented at trial, court filings said.
“Now, in the civil case, the District is trying to say he did nothing wrong,” said family attorney Gregory Lattimer.
D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles said he could not comment about the case before trial.
On Aug. 3, 2007, shortly after midnight, McConnell was driving past the Eddie Leonard Carryout at 2447 Good Hope Road when he noticed a man banging on the protective window and acting in a combative manner, police said.
McConnell, 43, tried to arrest Taft, 25, and the two became embroiled in an intense struggle, police said. The men, both 6 feet tall and fit, crashed into walls, gouged, scratched and bit each other. The skirmish lasted for about five minutes before spilling onto the sidewalk.
Taft got the upper hand and began strangling McConnell, who said later that he started to black out, according to court documents.
McConnell reached for his weapon and squeezed the trigger, shooting his own thumb and Taft in the right thigh.
Taft took off running.
McConnell raised his service pistol but he was so disoriented that he pointed the gun at a firefighter who happened onto the scene, internal affairs said.
The detective redirected his pistol and fired two shots, hitting Taft once in the back from 10 feet away, police said.
“I didn’t know if he was going to continue the attack or if I was going to pass out,” McConnell told investigators. “I just couldn’t … I was still in fear for my life.”
Taft collapsed in the street and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
McConnell, a nine-year veteran, was placed on administrative leave during the routine investigation.
The investigators determined that McConnell’s first shot was justifiable but the second and third shot were not, court documents said.
Their finding was overturned by an assistant police chief who still forwarded the report for potential disciplinary action because internal affairs found that McConnell was not carrying pepper spray while on duty.
The head of the disciplinary division agreed with the original finding and has issued a formal notice to fire McConnell.
