$775K deal in fatal pepper spray case

MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) - Muskegon has approved a $775,000 settlement with the estate of a man who died in police custody after being pepper sprayed.

Court records say the settlement in the civil rights lawsuit was reached between the city's insurance carrier and the estate of 47-year-old William P. Griffin of Muskegon Heights.

Griffin died in police custody Oct. 1, 2007, after being arrested for resisting officers.

Police used pepper spray to subdue Griffin, who died in the Muskegon Police Department parking lot while being taken to the Muskegon County Jail.

The Muskegon Chronicle says city manager Bryon Mazade and public safety director Tony Kleibecker declined comment.

Attorney Stephen Drew, who represented Griffin's estate, said the "family just wants to put this behind them."

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Information from: The Muskegon Chronicle