Widow of D.C. Officer Assaulted on Jan. 6 Wins Partial Legal Victory

June 25, 2025

A Washington D.C. jury has found Jan. 6 Capitol riot participant David Walls-Kaufman liable for assaulting Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith and ordered him to pay $500,000 in damages. The civil lawsuit was brought by Officer Smith's widow, Erin Smith, who claimed her husband suffered a traumatic brain injury during the assault that led to his suicide nine days later.

Who is affected

Officer Jeffrey Smith (deceased) and his widow Erin Smith
David Walls-Kaufman, the defendant found liable for the assault
Taylor Taranto, another named defendant whose case is on hold due to unrelated criminal charges
Metropolitan Police Department officers who served during the Capitol riot
The Smith family who lost their loved one

What action is being taken

A civil trial is being conducted regarding Officer Smith's assault and subsequent suicide
A jury has found Walls-Kaufman liable for assaulting Officer Smith and ordered him to pay $500,000
Additional proceedings to determine any financial award are continuing this week
Judge Reyes is encouraging both sides to resolve the case without further litigation
The case against co-defendant Taylor Taranto is currently on hold due to unrelated criminal charges

Why it matters

The case represents potential accountability for violence against law enforcement during the January 6 Capitol riot
It addresses the traumatic impact the riot had on police officers, including potential long-term mental health consequences
The ruling creates a financial consequence for Walls-Kaufman despite his presidential pardon for criminal charges
The case highlights the complex legal questions surrounding liability for suicide following traumatic events
It demonstrates the ongoing legal ramifications of the January 6 Capitol attack more than four years later

What's next

Additional proceedings to determine any award are expected to continue this week, according to Law & Crime.

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer