Fort Worth settles lawsuit with Jacqueline Craig, whose arrest was captured in viral video
The city of Fort Worth has reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit with Jacqueline Craig, a Black woman whose 2016 arrest went viral, sparking outcries over police bias.
Craig was wrestled to the ground by Fort Worth police after she called them during a dispute with a neighbor.
The city agreed to pay Craig $150,000 pending City Council approval. Craig sued the city in 2017.
The city admits no other fault as part of the settlement and there are no other requirements, a city spokesperson wrote in a text.
Body camera video showed Fort Worth police Officer William Martin arguing with Craig before he wrestled her to the ground.
Craig and her daughter Brea Hymond were initially charged with assaulting a police officer, but the charges were dropped after body camera footage was leaked.
Mayor Mattie Parker said in a statement the settlement provides closure for the Craig family and the Fort Worth community.
“As a city, we will remain committed to fostering greater communication and understanding and continuing the progress we’ve made in addressing the needs of Fort Worth,” the statement read.
Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens said she’s happy the city and the Craig family could come to an agreement to put the matter behind them.
“This put a big weight on her. It put a big weight on the city, and I hope the settlement is enough for everyone to feel refreshed and ready to move forward,” Bivens said.
Pastor Michael Bell, who acted as an intermediary between Craig and the city, called the settlement a, “satisfactory resolution to a traumatic incident.”
Bell praised the city for its willingness to work with Craig, and praised Craig for continuing to pursue the settlement despite dealing with trauma from the incident and media scrutiny of her case.
“This settlement is an acknowledgment that Jackie Craig matters, that her family matters, that regardless of any perceived limitations that everyone can get a fair shake,” Bell said.
Craig declined an interview request from the Star-Telegram.
Bivens said the Fort Worth Police Department has made strides towards improving community police relations.
“Do I think we’re there yet? By no means. I think it’s an ongoing exercise that we as human beings have to always reminded how to treat people,” she said.
This story was originally published September 23, 2022 at 2:37 PM.
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