On June 20, 2015, Alfontish Cockerham was shot twice in the back and killed by a chicago police officer. The Chicago police justified the shooting by arguing that Cockerham was part of a gang and had pointed a gun at police officers during a foot chase. Additionally, the police claimed that Cockerham was not shot in the back. Attorney Uche disputed the Chicago Police Department’s narrative and filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Chicago and the police officers.
After a two-week jury trial and just 3 hours of deliberation, a Cook County jury agreed with Attorney Uche and entered a verdict against the City of Chicago and the police department in the amount of $1.18 million for the unjustified shooting death of Alfontish Cockerham.