PHILADELPHIA — Survivors of a man who died during a police investigation are suing the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Police Department officers, citing alleged assault and excessive force.
The Estate of Ronald Singletary, Aminah Singletary and Latiesha Singletary, as administrator and individually, filed a complaint in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas against the City of Philadelphia and its police officers, alleging violation of the Pennsylvania Wrongful Death and Survivor Act.
On Jan. 14, the defendants removed the case to Philadelphia federal court.
According to the complaint, on May 12, 2017, without any justification or provocation, defendants caused the death of plaintiff Ronald Lee Singletary after a reported altercation in his house.
Plaintiffs claim defendants were called to the Singletary residence when plaintiff's partner made a complaint that she had been locked out and her boyfriend had the keys.
Defendants allegedly discussed, planned and implemented a deadly assault upon Singletary without notifying supervisors and did not follow Directive 10.7. As a result, defendants taking affirmative steps placed plaintiff at imminent and foreseeable legal danger and harm.
The plaintiffs hold the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Police Department officers responsible because the defendants allegedly failed their duty to maintain policies and practices related to arrests, use of force, barricade and crisis response/critical incident negotiations consistent with Pennsylvania law and the U.S. Constitution.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment in an amount in excess of $100,000 plus interest, costs, attorney's fees, and punitive damages. They are represented by Gregg Zeff and Eva Zelson of Zeff Law Firm in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.
Case No. is 2:19-cv-00190-RK.