The city of San Diego has agreed to pay a substantial $2.5 million to Konoa Wilson, a man left paralysed after a police officer knelt on his neck during an arrest in 2020. The settlement, approved by the city council, brings a legal close to a case that drew stark comparisons to the killing of George Floyd.
A Life-Altering Encounter with Police
The incident occurred on the evening of 28 June 2020, in the midst of widespread national protests against police violence. Konoa Wilson, then 24, was detained by San Diego police officers after they responded to a call about a possible domestic violence incident. Body-worn camera footage revealed that during the arrest, Officer Nicholas Danza placed his knee on Wilson's neck and upper back for approximately four minutes while Wilson was handcuffed and lying face down.
Wilson, who was not the suspect police were seeking, can be heard in the video repeatedly stating, "I can't breathe." The prolonged restraint caused a catastrophic spinal cord injury. Wilson was hospitalised for months and is now a quadriplegic, requiring permanent, full-time medical care.
Legal Proceedings and Officer's Fate
The lawsuit, filed in the US district court for the southern district of California, alleged the officers used excessive and deadly force. It argued that the tactics employed violated Wilson's constitutional rights and directly caused his paralysis.
Officer Nicholas Danza faced internal discipline following the incident. The San Diego police department initially fired Danza, but an appeals board later reduced his penalty to a six-month suspension. He has since returned to duty in a non-patrol capacity. The city, while agreeing to the financial settlement, did not admit to any liability as part of the agreement.
Broader Implications for Policing
This case reignites critical debates about police restraint techniques and accountability. The $2.5 million settlement is one of the largest in San Diego's history related to police conduct. Wilson's attorney, Dante Pride, emphasised that while the money provides for essential care, it cannot restore his client's health or mobility.
The settlement also mandates that the San Diego Police Department must provide additional training to its officers on the dangers of positional asphyxia and prone restraint. Community advocates argue the case underscores the urgent need for systemic reform to prevent similar tragedies, highlighting that the incident occurred just weeks after George Floyd's death sparked a global outcry.
For Konoa Wilson and his family, the settlement represents a form of justice and the necessary means to manage a profoundly altered future, while the city faces continued scrutiny over its policing protocols.
