Vasquez Family Tables a Compensation Proposal

Jules Vasquez,

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, at a press brief following the death of Nestor Vasquez Junior accepted that the police department will be held liable for the tragic incident inside the holding cell.  The Vasquez family has since retained the services of attorney Leslie Mendez and a preliminary figure has been proposed as compensation for their loss.  While the family will not disclose the exact sum they are seeking, they have committed to donating a portion of the settlement towards a worthy cause related to mental health care.

Jules Vasquez, Brother of Deceased

“We are sending off a letter for a proposed settlement of the liability relating to my brother’s death.  That is being sent off by the attorney today, that’s been a part of our ongoing discussions.  Again, for us, and for any family who has gone through this type of loss, it is no compensation but we wish that there be exemplary damages insofar as that the settlement reflects the size of the error that the state made or the depth of the failure in their duty of care.  So yes, we have sent a proposed settlement figure and we will now wait for their response.  It is going out today. But certainly, when we do arrive at a settlement we do wish to make a contribution, the family does wish to make a contribution to some meaningful cause that will have a long-term beneficial effect on the treatment of mentally ill persons.  We are looking at a number of things but we want it to be meaningful and long-term, so certainly we are minded to make such a donation with the settlement figure.”