Body Camera Footage Revealed in $1 Million Wrongful Death Settlement
On the evening of February 12, 2023, Edmond Exline was walking alongside Interstate 81 outside of Martinsburg, West Virginia. A West Virginia State approached Edmond and immediately pulled his firearm and pointed it at Edmond. He then switched to a taser and pushed Edmond into the highway and chased him against a concrete barrier. The trooper then repeatedly tased Edmond and called for backup.
Two additional West Virginia State Troopers arrived on the scene and immediately began to physically attack Edmond. One trooper struck Edmond in the head with his flashlight before repeatedly striking Edmond in the face and tasing him. Another trooper slammed Edmond’s face into the concrete repeatedly and struck Edmond in the face multiple times. Edmond was also kneed multiple times.
Throughout the attacks by these West Virginia State Troopers, Edmond stated, “I didn’t do nothing.” … “You’re hurting me.” … “I need to breathe.” … “Let me up. I need to breathe.” … “I didn’t do nothing.” … “You’re trying to kill me.”
After physically attacking Edmond, the troopers attempted to stand Edmond up while he was handcuffed and realized he was unresponsive. Edmond Exline was taken to the Berkeley Medical Center and pronounced dead at approximately 10:31 p.m.
During the time the troopers physically attacked Edmond Exline, he was unarmed, was not committing any crimes, and was not under the influence of any alcohol or narcotics.
Atkinson & Frampton, PLLC filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Estate of Edmond Exline on July 21, 2023 in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia against the West Virginia State Police and three John Doe State Troopers. The lawsuit included allegations of wrongful death and excessive force.
The Complaint can be viewed HERE.
While discovering the case, Atkinson & Frampton, PLLC was able to obtain body camera footage of the troopers' interactions with Edmond Exline. View the body camera footage below:
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Body Cam Footage - Edmond Exline - 1
Body Cam Footage - Edmond Exline - 2
Body Cam Footage - Edmond Exline - 3
Shortly after the body camera footage was produced, the West Virginia State Police offered to settle the claims for $1,000,000.00 – the maximum amount it could pay for these claims under West Virginia law. On July 9, 2024, Judge Kenneth D. Ballard approved the settlement of $1,000,000.00.
Judge Ballard's Order can be viewed HERE.
While Atkinson & Frampton, PLLC is pleased we were able to reach the maximum settlement recoverable for Edmond’s estate, this incident is a tragedy that could have and should have been avoided.
Atkinson & Frampton, PLLC shares the above video footage with the permission of Edmond’s son, Edmond Exline II, with the hope that it will help prevent this from happening to someone else in the future.