Feature Archives

The legal saga of Bich Cau Thi Tran ended last Tuesday with the announcement of a $1.8 million settlement of a federal lawsuit. Over two years ago, Tran, a petite 25 year-old Vietnamese woman, was shot and killed in her kitchen by a San Jose police officer. In exchange for the payment of the settlement to Tran's estate, all claims against officer Chad Marshall, former police chief William Lansdowne, then-assistant police chief Tom Wheatley, and current Chief Rob Davis will be dropped with no admissions of liability. The settlement was reportedly reached after two mediation conferences. The city council approved the $1.8 million payment Tuesday, The agreement had to then be submitted to U.S. District Court Judge James Ware for approval.

The settlement is believed to be one of the largest of its kind in Northern California. The payment was to include $800,000 that will be invested in an annuity for Tran's two sons; $200,000 for housing or to be used as a down payment for a home for the boys; $630,000 in attorney's fees; and money for Tran's parents and previous attorneys. Read more

Concern for Tragedy, or All Talk and No Walk by independent reporter Junya | Previous Indybay coverage of the Tran case