Judge denies City of Seattle’s request for retrial in $30.5M CHOP verdict; city to appeal again
Apr 2, 2026, 5:20 PM
An aerial view of Cal Anderson Park is seen during ongoing Black Lives Matter events in the so-called "CHOP," an area that protesters have called both the "Capitol Hill Occupied Protest" and the "Capitol Hill Organized Protest, on June 14, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo: David Ryder, Getty Images)
(Photo: David Ryder, Getty Images)
The City of Seattle was denied its request for retrial after it was ordered to pay $30.5 million to the family of Antonio Mays Jr., according to KING 5.
However, the city intends to appeal the ruling, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office told KING 5.
Seattle attorney Chris Davis from Davis Law Group warned on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio Tuesday that the city may drag out the appeal process to negotiate a lower settlement with the family and end the litigation sooner.
“What often happens when the city appeals a verdict like this, it can take two to three years before the appeal is heard and resolved. And during that time, the city may use that appeal as leverage to try to negotiate a settlement for less than $30.5 million,” Davis said.
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City of Seattle found negligent in CHOP death, ordered to pay $30.5M
In January, a King County jury found the City of Seattle negligent in the 2020 death of Mays, who was killed during the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP). Jurors determined the city did not respond fast enough and that its failure to act led to his death, according to The Seattle Times.
Mays’ father, Antonio, and his estate were subsequently awarded $30.5 million.
In the city’s request for a new trial, it argued there was at least a 90% chance that Mays was going to die from his wounds, regardless of any medical care. The City of Seattle also argued the jury should have been instructed to divide the blame between the city and Mays’ shooter, who has yet to be identified.
Additionally, the city argued Mays’ father’s attorney should not have been allowed to urge the jury to factor in “deterrence” — the idea of preventing something similar from happening again — when awarding damages.
The city previously filed a notice indicating it would appeal to the Washington State Court of Appeals if its retrial request was denied.
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