INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A settlement has been reached in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Herman Whitfield III. According to the settlement, the city of Indianapolis and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department agreed to pay Whitfield’s family $3.75 million. But, th e city is not being linked to any wrongdoing. IMPD officers Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez were charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, and battery for the April 2022 death of 39-year-old Herman Whitfield III, but were found not guilty in December of 2024. The jury entered deliberated for approximately two hours before the verdict was delivered. Police reports say Whitfield’s mother called 911 the night of his death asking for an ambulance because she thought he was having a mental health crisis. Body camera footage shows officers trying to get Whitfield to put clothes on so they could take him to the hospital. It also shows Sanchez using his taser twice, after which IMPD officers forced Whitfield to the ground and put him in handcuffs. State prosecutors argued that Whitfield was prone and face down for several minutes while Ahmad and Sanchez cuffed him and waited for paramedics. Two doctors dueled on the stand over whether high amounts of THC in Whitfield’s system contributed to his death. The defense’s witness testified Whitfield died from “THC-induced arrhythmia,” while the prosecution’s witness countered Whitfield died from “prone restraint cardiac arrest.” Payments will be made to Whitfield’s estate through January 2028. PREVIOUS REPORTING: Jury finds IMPD officers not guilty in 2022 in-custody death of Herman Whitfield III Trial begins for two IMPD officers charged in death of Herman Whitfield III Family of Herman Whitfield III files new lawsuit against city of Indianapolis Herman Whitfield III’s parents share humanity of son who died in IMPD handcuffs ...read more read less