HOUSTON (AP) - The parents of an unarmed teenager shot to death
in 2003 by a rookie police officer say they are happy with the
Houston City Council's decision to settle their lawsuit.
The settlement voted on last night includes a new set of
gun-training standards for officers and cadets that emphasize when
not to shoot and how to avoid accidentally firing weapons.
The agreement also includes a $1.5 million payment, a condolence
letter from Houston Mayor Bill White, a plaque on city property
honoring the life of slain 14-year-old Eli Eloy Escobar and more
crisis intervention training for police officers.
Eli was killed in November 2003 by rookie officer Arthur J.
Carbonneau, who was convicted of criminally negligent homicide.
Prosecutors said Carbonneau deliberately shot Escobar as the teen
fought with him and Officer Ronald Olivo outside a friend's
northwest Houston apartment. Carbonneau contended the shooting was
accidental.