(CNN) A New Mexico city has agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement deal with the family of a Mexican-American man who died in police custody in February. The city of Las Cruces has agreed to pay $6.5 million to the family of Antonio Valenzuela, who died during a traffic stop by Las Cruces police, according to a settlement agreement obtained by CNN. Former Las Cruces police officer Christopher Smelser allegedly used a vascular neck restraint on Valenzeula, a maneuver which has since been banned by the department during apprehensions. "The parties agreed that the city denies liability for the incident," the city said in a statement about the civil settlement to CNN. The use of vascular neck restraint, which is not a choke hold, was prohibited by policy by the former chief of police.

Source: CNN August 22, 2020 17:26 UTC