Skilled Advocacy Results in a Just Outcome in Federal Excessive Force Case

When police officers use deadly force without legal justification, the consequences are devastating and irreversible. Families are left grieving an unimaginable loss while also facing the arduous task of trying to hold powerful governmental entities accountable. These cases are among the most challenging civil rights lawsuits to litigate, requiring not only extensive legal knowledge but also aggressive advocacy and a willingness to challenge the official version of events. At Koufman Law Group, we are deeply committed to fighting for families whose loved ones have been wrongfully injured or killed by law enforcement. Our recent representation of the family of Alan Greenough demonstrates how unwavering dedication can uncover critical evidence and secure justice even in the most difficult circumstances.

Looking Beyond the Initial Police Narrative

The case arose from the fatal shooting of Alan Greenough by a Reading police officer in February 2018. After responding to a domestic disturbance call, officers arrived at an apartment where Mr. Greenough had barricaded himself before eventually fleeing through a rear window. Officer Erik Drauschke later located Mr. Greenough hiding inside a parked Hummer.

According to the officer, Mr. Greenough exited the vehicle, refused to remove his hands from the front pocket of his sweatshirt, and charged toward him, forcing the officer to fire two shots into Mr. Greenough’s chest. When Mr. Greenough’s brother reached the scene moments later, however, he found Alan kneeling near the Hummer, motionless. A subsequent search revealed no weapon on Mr. Greenough or anywhere near the vehicle.

Rather than accepting the official account at face value, Alan Greenough’s family turned to Koufman Law Group to investigate whether the shooting was legally justified.

Building the Case Through Independent Evidence

The attorneys at Koufman Law Group understood that determining what actually occurred required more than reviewing police reports. The firm retained independent experts to conduct their own investigation, including a shooting reconstruction specialist who carefully analyzed measurements, photographs, bullet trajectories, and physical evidence collected from the scene.

The reconstruction produced a dramatically different picture from the officer’s version of events. Based on the trajectory calculations and physical evidence, the expert concluded that Mr. Greenough could not have been charging toward Officer Drauschke immediately before he was shot because he was positioned too low to the ground. Instead, the evidence indicated he was kneeling, squatting, or sitting when the fatal shots were fired. This objective forensic analysis became a critical component of the family’s claims and demonstrated why independent investigation is often essential in excessive force litigation.

Challenging Qualified Immunity

On behalf of Mr. Greenough’s family, Koufman Law Group filed suit in the U. S. District Court alleging wrongful death and violations of Mr. Greenough’s constitutional rights based on the officer’s excessive use of force. After extensive litigation, the defense sought summary judgment, arguing both that the officer had acted reasonably and that qualified immunity shielded him from liability.

Koufman Law Group vigorously opposed the motion, by filing a strong opposition to it which demonstrated the physical evidence directly contradicted key aspects of the officer’s account of the shooting and created substantial factual disputes regarding whether deadly force was justified. The firm’s advocacy demonstrated that should the Judge rule on the motion for summary judgment, the Judge would most likely deny it and schedule the matter for a trial. The family would then be positioned to continue pursuing accountability by securing a verdict favorable to them.

A Resolution That Honored the Family’s Fight

As a result of Alan’s family’s shooting reconstruction by an expert and the strong opposition prepared by KLG, the defendant officer agreed to participate in mediation before a United States Magistrate Judge. During mediation, lawyers at KLG spoke about the shooting reconstruction and Alan Greenough’s family spoke about the devastating loss they continue to endure every day. Although no settlement could ever replace their loved one, the case ultimately resolved for $1 million, providing the family with a sense of justice and accountability.

The result reflects more than a financial recovery. It demonstrates the importance of compassionate representation, careful investigation, and attorneys willing to challenge official narratives through objective evidence. Without Koufman Law Group’s persistent and passionate advocacy, the inconsistencies in the officer’s account may never have been fully exposed.

Experienced Boston Civil Rights Attorneys

When families believe excessive force has resulted in the wrongful death or serious injury of a loved one, they deserve attorneys who will thoroughly investigate the facts and aggressively pursue justice. At Koufman Law Group, we combine experience in litigating complex cases with compassionate client advocacy to hold government actors accountable when constitutional rights are violated. Our office is located in Boston, and we represent individuals and families throughout Massachusetts. If you believe your family has been affected by police misconduct or excessive force, contact Koufman Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation.