Family filed multi-million dollar lawsuit

azfamily.com

VIDEO: Family files claim
LINK: City of Phoenix's response to notice of claim
UNCUT: Police press conference
LINK: In-depth coverage of investigation

PHOENIX -- The family of a New York woman who died in police custody at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city.

The suit filed Thursday claims that Phoenix police officers caused or contributed to Carol Anne Gotbaum's death on Sept. 28.

Police arrested Gotbaum for disorderly conduct after she was denied a seat on a flight to Tucson. She was later found dead in an airport holding cell.

The family filed an $8 million claim against the city in March, blaming Phoenix police for using excessive force and ignoring policies during her arrest.

Phoenix rejected the claim, saying officers did nothing wrong.

Gotbaum was in Phoenix on a layover as she traveled to an alcohol rehabilitation program.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)