Family of Jim Rogers, who died after police tased him, reaches $8 million settlement with Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The family of Jim Rogers, who died after he was tased by Pittsburgh police in 2021, has reached a settlement with the city. 

Attorney Todd Hollis said the city paid out $8 million after Rogers' family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit. Hollis said it's the largest civil case settlement in the city's history.  

Hollis said no amount of money can give closure to the family after this. He, the family and advocates are working to make sure this never happens again.  

"He was treated worse than any animal on the street," Hollis said.  

The corner of Harriet Street and West Penn Place will be remembered for the wrong reasons. Pittsburgh police tased Jim Rogers 10 times near the intersection about a year and a half ago.  

"Five hundred thousand volts of electricity went through a man who supposedly stole a bike," Hollis said on Thursday.  

Hollis said Rogers received no medical attention at the scene after being tased. An investigation revealed officers passed multiple hospitals before taking Rogers to UPMC Mercy Hospital across town.  

"Our experts have said had he been given medical attention sooner, he would have lived," Hollis said.  

Hollis spoke at the same place where Rogers was tased. He had civil rights advocates and the family of Rogers with him.  

"What is there to say? I mean I've watched that happen over and over again. It was the most inhumane thing I've ever seen even if he was not my brother," Roger's brother James Frierson said.  

What's more important than any amount of money is change. Everyone there said this was unacceptable and a dark stain on the city. They want to see accountability for the officers and better procedures put in place. Some of those include changes to the use of force, use of tasers, medical care to suspects by police and EMS and discipline to officers.  

"This is the most egregious case I've ever seen in my 29 years of practicing law," Hollis said about the case.  

"It's an unfortunate situation. My prayers go out to the family. The settlement is done. We move forward," Mayor Ed Gainey said. 

Pittsburgh police's Critical Incident Review Board determined a series of procedural failures contributed to Rogers' death and the bureau implemented several policy changes after the review. Five officers were fired.

A grand jury investigation ended without indictments, but Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said another agency is investigating Rogers' death. The district attorney had no comment on the settlement.

Hollis plans to meet with the city in the next 30 days to go over these proposed changes – which he is calling the Jim Rogers Rules.  

In:
• Pittsburgh Police
• Jim Rogers