Police in Missouri Settle Suit over Man’s Death for $1.2M

The St. Louis County town of Overland, Mo., has agreed to a $1.2 million settlement of a lawsuit over the death of a man who died after falling down stairs during an argument with police.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Overland’s insurance company will pay the settlement of the federal lawsuit filed by relatives of 49-year-old Kenneth Hamilton. The lawsuit claimed a discussion at Hamilton’s back door last March escalated into an argument, with Officer Andrew Ringeisen either hitting or pushing Hamilton, causing him to fall down the stairs.

Hamilton died of head injuries five days later.

The money will be paid to Hamilton’s siblings.

Ringeisen was charged with involuntary manslaughter. His criminal trial is scheduled to begin next month. Ringeisen, another officer and a sergeant resigned during the investigation.

Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch