BASTROP, Texas (AP) _ Bastrop County has agreed to pay more than $1 million to the family of a woman who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy last year.
County officials and lawyers for Yvette Smith’s family negotiated the settlement last week to end a civil lawsuit. The award is believed to be the largest in the county’s history.
Deputy Daniel Willis faces a murder charge after authorities say he shot and killed Smith on her front porch in February 2014.
The sheriff’s office initially said Willis shot Smith after she ignored a command to drop her firearm. It later said it couldn’t confirm that Smith had any weapon. Willis was fired after being indicted on the murder charge.
A message seeking comment from Willis’ attorney was left by the Austin American-Statesman.