Duarte : Wrongful Death Suit Settled

Raymond and Shirley Ann Nicholson of Duarte, whose son was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy, have agreed to a $175,000 settlement of their wrongful death lawsuit against Los Angeles County. The five-year-old lawsuit had sought punitive damages for loss of love, affection and the comfort of their son, said the Nicholsons’ attorney, Howard Shelton.

Raymond Nicholson Jr., then 20, died Oct. 26, 1980, after being shot by Deputy Daniel Larson, whose shotgun accidentally discharged as he was removing the safety lock. Nicholson had been stopped in his vehicle for questioning concerning a crime report that later proved to be false. Larson is still with the Sheriff’s Department.