Colorado State Patrol Settles in Wrongful Death Shooting of Grand Junction Man

Breaking news from the Colorado ACLU in the lawsuit against the CSP that was filed on behalf of Jason Kemps family, who was shot and killed at his home in 2010 when he refused to allow state troopers into his home without a warrant.

According to the press release the State Patrol has agreed, "to pay over $1 million to Jason’s family and will also implement new training modules for all current and future officers to include specific instruction on the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment and its limited exceptions."

Apparently the new training will also emphasize de-escalation tactics and the limits on officers’ permissible use of force.

Mark Silverstein, ACLU Legal Director said, “ACLU lawyers were prepared to prove not only that state troopers violated the Constitution when they unjustifiably kicked in Jason Kemp’s front door and shot and killed him, but also that supervisors all the way up the chain of command were responsible for recklessly deficient training that was the ultimate cause of this needless and preventable death.”

Some of you may remember this tragedy in the news if not here's what we know according to the lawsuit:

• Troopers Kirk Firko and Ivan Lawyer were investigating a minor traffic accident that had resulted in minimal damage to a persons lawn.
• They suspected Jason Kemp was responsible for the damage and that he may have been driving under the influence of alcohol.
• They proceeded to knock at his door, Kemp told the troopers to get a warrant. Instead of seeking a warrant, the troopers proceeded to break down Kemp’s front door, with guns drawn.
• When the door gave way, trooper Lawyer fired his weapon, killing the unarmed Kemp at the scene.