DAYTON, Ohio – Montgomery County, Ohio, has agreed to a $7 million settlement with the family of Christian Black, a 25-year-old man who died after being restrained by jail deputies in April 2023, family attorneys announced Tuesday. The settlement comes amid scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding black’s death, which was ruled a homicide by the county coroner.
Black was in jail following an arrest for crashing a stolen car when, according to video released by his family and attorneys, he began yelling and banging his head and fist against a glass door in his cell. Nine deputies then intervened, pinning him to the floor and placing him in a restraint chair. black became unresponsive while in the chair, and jail staff initiated CPR approximately nine minutes later.He died two days after being hospitalized.
The coroner’s office determined Black likely died from positional asphyxia – a condition where the chest cannot expand, depriving the body of oxygen. The family alleges deputies used excessive force and delayed medical attention.
“This settlement reflects the severity of the harm caused by the actions of the Montgomery County Jail staff,” said attorney David Waite, representing the Black family, in a statement. “While no amount of money can bring Christian back, this settlement provides some measure of justice and accountability.”
Montgomery County officials did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. No jail personnel have been criminally charged in connection with Black’s death. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the use of restraint chairs and the potential for positional asphyxia in correctional facilities, issues that have drawn national attention in recent years.
