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August 6, 2013

British Police Apologize for Killing Newspaper Seller at G20 Protest 
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Britain's Metropolitan Police have apologized to the family of a man
killed by an officer during London's G20 protests in 2009. Ian Tomlinson
was a newspaper seller who played no role in the protest. He was walking
home with his hands in his pockets when a police constable struck him
with a baton and shoved him to the ground from behind. A pathologist
initially claimed Tomlinson died of a heart attack, but it was later
found he died from internal bleeding. The officer, Simon Harwood was
acquitted of manslaughter last year, but later fired for gross
misconduct. On Monday police announced a settlement with Tomlinson's
family and apologized "unreservedly" for Harwood's use of "excessive and
unlawful force." Tomlinson's widow, Julia, called the apology "as close
as we are going to get to justice."

 

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