Parents' lawsuit claims officer's force was unreasonable

A civil lawsuit started in Wisconsin on Monday against former police officer Joseph Mensah. The case is about the shooting death of 17-year-old Alvin Cole at Mayfair Mall in February 2020. Cole's parents, Tracy and Albert Cole, are claiming that Mensah used unreasonable force and are seeking compensation for the loss of their son. During the first day of the trial, attorneys made opening statements and began selecting a jury. The Cole family's lawyer, Kimberley Motley, described the events of the night Cole was shot. She explained that after asking for a ride to the mall, Cole was involved in a disturbance where he was reported to have a gun. Motley argued that when Mensah shot Cole, he had already fallen and could not have been a threat. Mensah's lawyer, Joseph Wirth, contended that the officer acted in self-defense. He suggested that Cole was a threat and that Mensah had no choice but to protect himself. The defense shared video footage from police vehicle cameras to support their case. Albert Cole, Alvin's father, testified about the impact of his son’s death. He expressed deep sorrow and highlighted how losing his son changed his life. Two police officers who were present during the incident also provided testimonies. One officer stated he did not see Cole aiming a gun at Mensah. The trial is expected to last three to five days and will feature more testimonies, including potentially from Mensah himself. The Cole family is asking for punitive damages, but Mensah is not facing criminal charges in this lawsuit.