Greenberg Law Offices Representing Family of Man Who Died in Baltimore Police Custody

Greenberg Law Offices | November 25, 2025 | In The News

Greenberg Law Offices stands firmly with the family of Dontae Melton, Jr., a young man whose life ended tragically while in Baltimore police custody last June. Our team will represent Mr. Melton’s family as they look to hold Baltimore City Police responsible for what they described to Attorney Larry Greenberg as a “needless death.”

What Happened to Dontae Melton, Jr.?

On the night of June 24, 2025, 31-year-old Dontae Melton, Jr., approached Police Officer Gerard Pettiford, who was stopped at a red light at the intersection of West Franklin Street and North Franklintown Road. Melton claimed he was being chased and begged the officer for help.

Officer Pettiford and other officers gathered that Mr. Melton was experiencing a mental health crisis and radioed in for emergency services. However, the city’s dispatch system was down, so EMS never arrived. After nearly an hour waiting for emergency services, the officers would ultimately drive Melton to a hospital themselves, where he would die a few hours later.

What the Body Camera Footage Revealed

Body camera footage of the night Mr. Melton lost his life revealed the moment Mr. Melton approached Officer Pettiford at a red light around 9:40 p.m. Mr. Melton is clearly in distress, asking the officer for a ride to his house and claiming that someone is chasing him.

The officer then attempts to restrain Mr. Melton, which authorities later claimed was “for his own safety.” After several other officers arrive and place Mr. Melton in handcuffs and leg restraints, they call for a medic.

While waiting for EMS, Mr. Melton begins screaming that he can’t breathe. Officers note that his pulse is significantly elevated. At some point, Mr. Melton becomes unresponsive, after which the officers pour water on him. After waiting nearly an hour for medics to arrive, officers took Mr. Melton to Grace Medical Center in their car.

Upon reviewing the body camera footage, Attorney Larry Greenberg noticed a 30-minute gap between the officers leaving for and arriving at the hospital, which was five minutes away.

The Homicide Ruling

The exact medical cause of Dontae Melton, Jr.’s death has not been revealed. However, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Mr. Melton’s death a homicide. This medical determination means that someone caused the death, but not necessarily that they committed a crime in doing so. Regardless, the Dontae Melton, Jr., homicide ruling is a shocking one, and it strongly suggests negligence on the part of the responding officers.

Is Dontae Melton, Jr.’s Family Suing the Baltimore Police?

The family of Dontae Melton, Jr., is planning on filing a lawsuit against Baltimore City for Mr. Melton’s death, which they believe was the result of several instances of law enforcement failing to take the necessary action to protect a citizen suffering a clear mental health crisis. Greenberg Law Offices will proudly represent Mr. Melton’s family as they seek justice on Dontae’s behalf.

When Can Police Be Held Responsible for Personal Injury and Wrongful Death?

Police officers have a duty to protect individuals in their custody. When officers act recklessly, fail to intervene during medical emergencies, breach protocol, or intentionally violate a person’s rights, they may be held liable for any harm that person endures as a result.

Some examples of when police might bear responsibility for injury or wrongful death include:

Excessive use of force
High-speed pursuit accidents
Negligent handling of suspects
Failure to provide medical care
Acts outside lawful duties
Violation of legal duty

Reports and body cam footage of Mr. Melton’s encounter with Baltimore City Police suggest more than one of the above violations. Our team will work with experts to investigate alleged violations of these duties in Mr. Melton’s case and seek to hold the appropriate parties accountable.

What Makes Cases Like the Dontae Melton, Jr. Lawsuit Uniquely Complicated?

Civil courts allow families to pursue claims for personal injury and wrongful death when negligence or misconduct contributes to preventable deaths. However, cases against police officers and their departments can be complicated and challenging to pursue for the following reasons:

Qualified Immunity – Many officers and municipalities can claim legal protections that shield them from certain lawsuits. Qualified immunity often requires showing that the officer violated a “clearly established” law, which makes proving liability difficult.
High Evidentiary Burden – Our attorneys must prove that the officer’s actions or omissions directly caused the death. These cases require even more substantial evidence than the average wrongful death claim, including detailed medical records, autopsy reports, dispatch and 911 records, and expert testimony.
Access to Evidence – Police departments control crucial evidence such as body-camera footage and internal reports. Our attorneys must fight delays and restrictions to recover this evidence and build a compelling case.
Public Scrutiny and Media Attention – High-profile cases draw intense media coverage, influencing public perception and sometimes affecting settlement negotiations or trial strategy.

Although cases like the Dontae Melton, Jr., lawsuit present these unique challenges, these are the kinds of cases the team at Greenberg Law Offices is proudest to take on. Nobody is above the law, including police departments, and we are dedicated to holding those whose negligence results in preventable death accountable for their actions.

Our Experience as Baltimore Police Brutality Attorneys

At Greenberg Law Offices, we have extensive experience in protecting the rights of Baltimore residents when they suffer from police brutality or misconduct. We help police brutality victims and their families by:

Conducting thorough investigations to uncover every fact surrounding custody injuries and deaths
Collaborating with medical professionals, crisis response experts, use-of-force specialists, and legal analysts to establish liability
Pursuing aggressive legal strategies to hold officers and departments accountable
Providing compassionate guidance to families as they face complicated legal processes during difficult emotional times

Contact Our Firm for More Information

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to police negligence or misconduct, Greenberg Law Offices can help. Our team offers not only tenacious representation, but compassion and critical support as you seek the justice you and your family deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.