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Public divided as Spokane hears comments on $500,000 proposed settlement in Bradley shooting case
Summary
Dozens of public commenters urged different outcomes as the council prepared to consider Resolution 2025-2, a proposed $500,000 settlement in McLaughlin v. City of Spokane concerning the death of Robert Bradley. The meeting record shows public testimony for and against the settlement but does not record a council vote.
The Spokane City Council’s agenda included Resolution 2025‑2, a proposed $500,000 settlement in McLaughlin v. City of Spokane related to the death of Robert Bradley. The meeting record shows extended public comment both in favor of and opposing the settlement; however, the transcript does not record a final council vote on the resolution during the session.
Anwar Peace, a local police‑accountability advocate, urged the council to settle quickly and said $500,000 was too low for what he described as a wrongful death. “This low settlement amount doesn't make sense to me because … the city settled with the Novak family $4,000,000,” Peace said, contrasting the earlier payout with the proposed amount for Bradley’s family.
Other speakers, including Will Hewings and Justin Haller, urged the council not to pay the settlement. Hewings told the council the county prosecutor had found the officers’ actions justified and said the city should not “buckl[e] under pressure and hand over taxpayers money to avoid litigation.” Justin Haller similarly asked why the city would settle instead of letting the courts decide.
Jim Leidy, speaking in favor of settlement and police accountability, said the $500,000 figure should be larger and called for stronger mechanisms to prevent future shootings. “We are not seeing a change in the police culture at all,” Leidy said, and recommended doubling the settlement so families receive more compensation.
Sunshine Wiggins and others urged compassion and noted the settlements are often covered by insurance funds rather than direct city budget lines. Several commenters asked for more public briefings after officer‑involved shootings and for the city to provide opportunities to ask questions about investigatory findings.
The meeting transcript shows the resolution listed on the legislative agenda and that the council prepared to vote; it does not record a roll‑call or voice vote result on Resolution 2025‑2 during this session. The council proceeded to other business after public comment.
