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Charlotte reaches separation agreement with Randall Kerrick

By Erica Bryant, wsoctv.com
By Erica Bryant, wsoctv.com
Randall "Wes" Kerrick has resigned from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department effective Friday, Oct. 2, according to the city of Charlotte.
Charlotte officials announced Thursday that part of the separation agreement, Kerrick will receive $112,935.98, subject to taxes and standard deductions.
In addition, the city will pay the following:
  • $8,181.05 to the NC Local Government Retirement System (legally required)
  • $8,191.76 to the social security system (legally required)
  • $50,630.80 to the attorney (Robert D. McDonnell) who represented Kerrick in the civil suit brought by the Jonathan Ferrell family.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The total expense is $179, 989.59.

The city will not pay any legal expenses for Kerrick’s criminal defense, according to the news release. The agreement, which contains no admission of fault or liability, includes a release of all potential legal claims.

Kerrick was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell in September 2013. The charges were dismissed after a trial ended in a hung jury in August 2015.

According to City Attorney Robert Hagemann, because of the outcome of the criminal proceedings, the city would likely be found liable for the expenses covered in the separation agreement if the matter was litigated. The agreement also releases the city from future liability and ends Kerrick’s employment with CMPD.

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The city of Charlotte reached a settlement on May 19 with the family of Jonathan Ferrell in the amount of $2.25 million.

In reaching that settlement, the city and the Ferrell family considered and recognized the City Council’s commitment to and actions taken regarding civil liberties and the council’s investment in body-worn cameras for all CMPD officers, officials said.

Channel 9 is working to gather more information on this agreement. We will have the latest on Eyewitness News at 5 p.m.

The attorneys for Kerrick released the following statement:

"On October 7, 2011, Randall Wesley Kerrick made a choice to serve this great community.  He swore an oath to protect the citizens of Charlotte.  He dedicated his life to law enforcement.  It is with heavy heart that he resigned from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).

"Kerrick did not resign because of any wrong doing or misconduct.  As we have stated from the outset of this case, his actions on Sept. 14, 2013, were justified under CMPD policy and North Carolina law.  Our belief was confirmed by the majority of the jurors during his criminal trial.  It is also evident in the Attorney General's decision not to retry the criminal case.

"Wes Kerrick and his family look forward to new endeavors and are eager to place this tragic chapter of their lives behind them."

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