Award for family of man beaten to death at holding center dramatically lowered

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The award for the family of a man beaten to death by officers at the Erie County Holding Center in 2012 has been dramatically lowered by a judge.

Judge Mark Grisanti lowered what was initially a $100 million reward to a $20 million award after the original award was found to be “excessive.” The county was initially ordered to pay $95 million while the five deputies found responsible for inmate Richard Metcalf’s death were ordered to pay $1 million each.

Richard Metcalf was strangled and severely beaten by officers while being held at the Erie County Holding Center after he was arrested for allegedly breaking into a catering business in Depew that he worked at.

The $95 million was the largest civil judgement against the county ever.

Following his arraignment, a state report in 2016 indicated that officers placed a “spit mask” on him and after he chewed through it, a pillowcase was tied loosely over his head. The report states that the mask was so tight that it required scissors to remove but by the time it was cut off, he had stopped breathing and his heart had stopped. He died two days later. According to the report, he was also beaten by deputies while in custody.

The county medical examiner ruled Metcalf’s death a homicide as a result of acute and subacute myocardial infarction, meaning he died of a heart attack caused by an outside force.

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here .