MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Common Council approved a $2.3 million settlement from the City of Milwaukee to the estate and son of Dontre Hamilton, three years after his death. The money will go into a trust set up for Hamilton’s son.
“This is not the justice that me and my family wanted,” said Maria Hamilton, Dontre’s mother.
“This is not the end. This is just the beginning,” said Dameion Perkins, Dontre’s brother.
“We don’t have Dontre. We hurt every day,” said Nate Hamilton, Dontre’s brother.
Hamilton, 31, was shot 14 times, and killed in Red Arrow Park in downtown Milwaukee on April 30th, 2014 by former Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney. This April, the family received a partial victory in federal court, after a judge in a civil suit ruled Manney violated Hamilton’s constitutional rights by illegally patting Hamilton down before he shot Hamilton.
Manney was ultimately fired by Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, who cited the pat-down as the reason for his termination. Criminal charges against Manney were not pursued by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office or the U.S. Attorney’s Office — prompting the Hamilton family to file the federal civil rights case.
There were 13 yes votes from the council. Alderman Terry Witkowski was absent and Alderman Bob Donovan abstained from the vote.
Mayor Barrett indicated he will sign off on the settlement.
