The family of an exonerated black man who was shot and killed during a traffic stop announced Tuesday that they are suing the sheriff’s office and deputy who shot him for $16 million.
As we previously reported in October 2023, authorities released footage of the moment Leonard Cure, 53, got into a scuffle with a police officer during a traffic stop and then was fatally shot. Cure was stopped by the officer while driving on interstate 95. According to NBC, Cure was pulled over because he was allegedly speeding over 90 miles per hour. Cure was previously released from a Florida prison three years ago after being wrongly incarcerated for a drug store arrest in Broward County in 2003. The graphic footage from the Camden County sheriff shows the moments when the deputy left his patrol cruiser and he began shouting at Cure.
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At a news conference Tuesday, attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels announced Cure’s family filed a lawsuit, seeking $16 million in damages against Staff Sgt. Buck Aldridge and the Camden County Sheriff’s Office. “On the one hand, this case is about Leonard Cure, a man who was wrongfully imprisoned and ultimately killed by law enforcement sworn to serve and protect him. But, on the other hand, it’s about much more than that,” said Daniels. “This isn’t some isolated incident. We’re talking about an officer with a long history of brutality and violence within a department with a long history of brutality and violence. They have blood on their hands and it’s time to hold them accountable.”
In the body cam footage that was shared on social media you can see the two exchanging words and Cure went to the back of his truck and put his hands on the back of the pickup prior to the deputy telling him he would tase him for speeding and reckless driving. That’s when Cure and deputy had a scuffle and Cure ended up on the ground and was fatally shot. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said the family wants to see more video of a live stream they say Cure started when he was initially pulled over. “We want to see if they, in any way, had reasons to fear for their lives, where they had to use deadly force. The family is not convinced that you’re going to see that,” said Crump.
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Leonard Cure tried to make up for the 16 years he lost imprisoned in Florida after being wrongfully convicted of armed robbery in 2004. Since being freed three years ago, he gave inspirational talks to high school students, worked a security job and, in middle age, was considering college after buying a home.
