From [HERE] Attorney Geoffrey Fieger filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the city of Detroit and five unnamed Detroit Police officers in connection with the Oct. 2 fatal shooting of 20-year-old Porter Burks, whose mental illness "often caused psychosis," the suit said.

The lawsuit, filed in Wayne County circuit court, claims gross negligence, assault and battery, "wanton & willful misconduct," and a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act because of Burks' mental illness, which was so severe he often hallucinated, and, during one episode, "thought there was a squirrel living inside him," according to the 18-page filing.

During a press conference in his Southfield office, Fieger, flanked by Burks' relatives, labeled the death "the execution-style killing of Porter Burks," adding: "It's nonsense that something like this could occur in a civilized society." [its nonsense that he thinks this is a civilized society]

Burks, who reportedly suffered from schizophrenia, was killed after a videotaped confrontation with police officers, who repeatedly asked him to drop the small knife he was wielding as he stood many feet away from them. When Burks moved toward the officers, although numerous cops were present, only five of them opened fire, discharging 38 bullets, 19 of which struck Burks, according to an autopsy report from the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office that was distributed at Fieger's press briefing.

Burks was too far from law enforcement for a taser to be effective, according to the police chief (?)

The autopsy report included a toxicology screen, although the document indicated "part or all of the testing was unable to be performed ... test was canceled due to (quantity not sufficient)."

Fieger said that was "inexplicable," and said he'd never seen that notation on a toxicology report during his career as an attorney. An email to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office Tuesday was not immediately returned.

Black strawboss and probot Police Chief James White released a statement Tuesday describing the Burks shooting as "truly a tragic event."

"The Department will continue to advocate for greater resources for the mental health community and will take every opportunity to improve its response to people suffering from mental illness," White said. "We firmly believe that if appropriate mental health facilities and treatment plans had been available, this situation may have been avoided. Regrettably, the DPD remains the primary emergency response service for individuals suffering from mental health emergencies."

In previous statements, White has said publicly that the officers involved in the Burks situation appeared to have followed their training, although he stressed letting the investigation, which is being conducted by Detroit Police and Michigan State Police, run its course.

During the probe, the five officers who pulled their triggers have been placed on administrative leave, per department policy.

Fieger said the police version of events is “propaganda” designed to mislead the public. Burks has no criminal records or arrests. [MORE]

The police chief claimed that the knife Porter had was 8 inches. Attorney Fieger however, said it was a mere foldable pocked knife with a 3 inch blade. Feiger also stated that Porter was “a tremendous distance” from police when he was executed by them. Specifically he said Porter was an estimated 46 feet from the cops when they shot him. He described it as an execution by “firing squad.”

Feiger said Porter was lifting up his arms when he was shot. He also confirmed that police also tased him. The attorney said after shooting the man 38 times the cops handcuffed his corpse in the street. Police then inexplicably took the body to the hospital,. Fieger said the police chief should explain why the body was dropped off there without telling doctors or medical staff what occurred.

Feiger said there should be at least 5 body camera videos and private “ring camera” camera video that police confiscated after the incident.

Feiger said he was treated worse than an animal. [MORE]

Fieger explained on Tuesday there were several other, less-deadly, options officers could have chosen when they encountered Burks in the street carrying the knife in his right hand.

"You could've shot him with a tranquilizer like they'd have done with a wild animal," Fieger said. The attorney said White's claim that the officers followed their training wasn't true, adding: "All I saw on that video was an officer reaching out his hand ... and then they shot (Burks)."

According to the lawsuit, "Mr. Burks' mental illness often caused psychosis. He saw hallucinations and heard voices that were not there. During one of his hospitalizations, Mr. Burks thought there was a squirrel living inside of him. His efforts to extricate the squirrel were to no avail.

"When Mr. Burks was getting regular, effective treatment, he could respond normally," the suit said. "He enjoyed dancing and listening to music like most 20-year-olds.

"When his illness manifested, Mr. Burks became paranoid and many times felt threatened if seeing or hearing things that were not there," the lawsuit said. "When these flare ups of his disease occurred, Mr. Brooks was taken to the hospital by either family or the police. His medications were often adjusted and re-administered."

The day before his death, "Mr. Burks arrived at the family residence agitated and with a pocketknife in his possession," the lawsuit said. "Mr. Burks' mother told him he could not come into the home with a pocketknife. She called police to request that they help get her son safely to the hospital for treatment. This request was not unusual because the DPD were very familiar with Mr. Burks and have assisted with taking Mr. Burks to the hospital on several prior occasions."

Burks left the home before officers arrived, the suit said. Then, at 4 a.m. on Oct. 2, "Mr. Burks returned to the residence," according to the lawsuit. "He was told he could not return with the pocketknife. Worried about his mental health, Mr. Burks' brother dialed 911."

Four days after the incident, Fieger announced plans to file a lawsuit, but he had to wait until a Wayne County Probate Court judge appointed Burks' mother, Quieauna Wilson, as the estate's representative. Fieger said Tuesday that process had been completed, and added he's considering also filing a federal civil rights lawsuit.