The family of Sherman Butler, a 44-year-old Detroit man who was fatally shot during an eviction in July 2024, has filed a $150 million federal lawsuit against the bailiff involved in the shooting, the City of Detroit, two Detroit police officers, and Detroit’s 36th District Court.
Maurice Davis of Davis Injury Lawyers is representing Butler’s family in the lawsuit. The family alleges that officials used excessive force and failed to properly respond to a mental health crisis. The lawsuit raises questions about how law enforcement and court personnel should handle an eviction when a person is experiencing a mental health emergency.
The case is pending, and the allegations have not been proven in court. However, the lawsuit seeks to examine whether the events leading to Butler’s death could have been handled differently.
What Happened During the Detroit Eviction?
On July 12, 2024, a bailiff from Detroit’s 36th District Court arrived at Butler’s apartment near Palmer Park to carry out an eviction order. Detroit police officers were also present to assist.
According to reports about the incident, Butler was inside his apartment holding a box cutter to his throat. Officers and the bailiff attempted to persuade him to put the weapon down. A mental health crisis team was reportedly requested to assist with the situation.
The family’s attorneys allege that the bailiff and responding officers moved forward before the crisis team arrived. They contend that the decision to enter the apartment and use force escalated the situation rather than allowing additional time for de-escalation.
Authorities have offered a different account of the shooting. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the incident and declined to file criminal charges against the bailiff, concluding that the shooting was justified as self-defense. Prosecutors said Butler moved toward the bailiff and an officer while armed with a knife.
Butler was shot multiple times and died while being transported to a hospital.
What Does the Lawsuit Allege?
The federal lawsuit challenges the actions of the bailiff and responding officers, alleging that their conduct violated Butler’s rights and contributed to his death.
The family’s attorneys argue that the situation should have been treated as a mental health emergency requiring a coordinated response. They contend that officials should have waited for mental health professionals and used additional de-escalation measures before entering the apartment or using force.
The lawsuit also raises questions about the use of Tasers during the encounter and whether the equipment and procedures involved were appropriate.
The defendants named in the lawsuit include the bailiff who fired the shots, two Detroit police officers, the City of Detroit, and Detroit’s 36th District Court. The claims include allegations of civil rights violations, disability discrimination, and wrongful death under Michigan law.
These allegations are now part of a civil legal proceeding. The defendants will have an opportunity to respond, and the court will consider the evidence and applicable law as the case moves forward.
Can an Eviction Lead to a Civil Rights Lawsuit?
An eviction order authorizes officials to carry out a court-ordered removal. It does not eliminate a person’s constitutional rights or automatically authorize the use of force.
When an eviction involves a person who may be experiencing a mental health crisis, the circumstances can raise difficult questions about how officials should proceed. The decisions made during an encounter, including whether to wait for additional assistance and whether the use of force was justified, may become relevant in a civil lawsuit.
A civil rights claim involving law enforcement or government personnel can examine whether officials violated a person’s rights and whether those violations caused harm. Depending on the facts and legal claims involved, a lawsuit may also address whether a government agency or municipality bears responsibility for its policies, practices, or conduct.
These cases require a detailed examination of the evidence. Body camera footage, witness statements, dispatch records, department policies, and other documentation may help establish what happened and whether officials followed applicable procedures.
What Happens Next in the Sherman Butler Lawsuit?
The federal lawsuit is intended to provide a legal forum for examining the events surrounding Butler’s death. The family’s attorneys have said they are seeking accountability and answers about the decisions made during the eviction.
As the case proceeds, the parties may exchange evidence through discovery, including records and testimony relevant to the allegations. The court will then address the legal and factual issues raised by the lawsuit.
The civil case is separate from the prosecutor’s decision not to pursue criminal charges. A decision about whether to file criminal charges does not, by itself, resolve every issue that may arise in a civil lawsuit.
For Butler’s family, the lawsuit represents an effort to determine whether the shooting was preventable and whether the officials involved should be held legally responsible.
Davis Injury Lawyers Represents the Sherman Butler Family
Maurice Davis of Davis Injury Lawyers is representing the family of Sherman Butler in its pursuit of accountability through the federal civil lawsuit.
The case highlights the importance of examining the circumstances surrounding a fatal encounter, including the decisions made by officials and whether appropriate procedures were followed.
Davis Injury Lawyers represents people and families in Michigan who have suffered harm because of another party’s conduct. If you believe your civil rights have been violated or your family has suffered a wrongful death, contact Davis Injury Lawyers to discuss your situation and learn whether legal action may be available.