COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Lawyers say a $6.5 million settlement has been reached with the widow of a former Ohio State football star who says police used excessive force arresting her late husband.
Jim Stillwagon, who died last year, was captain of the school’s 1968 national championship team. He was acquitted in 2013 of criminal charges stemming from a September 2012 road rage incident in Delaware in central Ohio.
Stillwagon’s widow, Effie, alleged in a lawsuit that Delaware police altered facts and suppressed and destroyed evidence to pursue their investigation.
Federal courts upheld most of her claims, and on Thursday her attorneys announced the settlement.
Delaware officials say they aren’t admitting to police wrongdoing in agreeing to settle because of litigation costs, “the risk of exposure,” and on attorneys’ advice.
Statement from the City of Delaware:
The parties have reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit filed by Jim Stillwagon.
The City of Delaware’s insurance company will pay the settlement amount, not the City of Delaware. This case was covered by the City of Delaware’s insurance policy, and the City was represented by attorneys assigned by the insurance company.
While the City did not admit to any wrongdoing by its Police Department, based on the costs of litigation, the risk of exposure, and the advice of our attorneys, settlement was determined to be the best course of action.
The City of Delaware has no further comment.