Family of Aiyana Jones, girl killed in botched raid, reaches $8.25M settlement with Detroit

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) - The family of Aiyana Jones, the 7-year-old girl who was shot by a Detroit police officer in a botched raid in 2010, has settled a civil suit with attorneys from the city of Detroit for $8.25 million.

Aiyana Stanley-Jones was fatally shot by Detroit officer Joseph Weekley in May 2010 during a botched police raid.

In the middle of the night, police came through the door of a home on Lilybridge on Detroit's east side in attempts of locating a murder suspect. In all of the chaos, Aiyana was accidentally shot while she was sleeping on the couch.

The case went to trial twice, and Officer Weekley was ultimately acquitted in both trials. The family promised it would pursue a civil case in 2015.

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger took up the civil case and it was expected to start next week in Wayne County. But the city attorney's office said the case was settled for $8.25 million, to be paid to Jones' family by the city of Detroit.

The settled deal must be approved by Detroit City Council.

Following the second hung jury, prosecutor Kym Worthy opted not to pursue a third criminal trial against Weekley for careless discharge of a firearm - which is a misdemeanor. 

Jones' family had asked for the Department of Justice to get involved in February 2015.

City of Detroit Corporation Counsel Lawrence Garcia released the following statement: 

"Aiyana's death was a tragic loss for her family and has been a heavy burden on our community. We believe today's settlement is fair because it balances the needs of Aiyana's family and our responsibility for the city's finances. We hope this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of closure."