Gov’t offers $1.7M to boy shot by police
Stabroek News
June 22, 2003
The family of Vincent Griffith Jnr, the boy who had his left leg amputated after he was mistakenly shot by police in late 2001, has been offered $1.7M as ex-gratia compensation from the government.
Not accepting liability for Griffith’s shooting, Attorney General Doodnauth Singh (SC) wrote in a letter to Griffith’s attorney Joseph Harmon, that the “State is amenable to paying the ex-gratia compensation [and] the cost for prosthetic legs for [Griffith] as he grows older...”
Singh further indicated in the May 23 letter, his availability to meet to discuss and conclude the settlement.
The letter stated that the $1.7M figure was computed after a detailed analysis of the principles and case law.
Griffith’s family has not accepted the State’s offer and Stabroek News understands that negotiations have begun between the two sides to reach a mutual settlement.
The boy’s father, Vincent Griffith, said last week that he was not willing to accept the offer, which he described as disrespectful to his son who had dreamed of becoming a football player.
The boy who was 12 years old at the time, had his left leg amputated below the knee, after he was mistakenly shot by police on December 12, 2001 at Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.
Police were raiding a house in search of a wanted man and said they were surprised by the boy who was hiding in a wardrobe in the house.
Following the incident the boy initiated a suit in the Supreme Court, seeking compensation for the injuries and for the trauma he sustained.
The suit is still extant but could be withdrawn once a settlement has been reached.
