HOUSTON, Texas (Nov. 24, 2025) –– National civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Paul Grinke, who represent the family of Charles Payne Sr., issued the following statement in response to the jury’s verdict in the civil trial against the City of Houston. The case centered on the 2021 crash in which Houston Police Department Officer Christopher Cabrera, traveling approximately 70 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone without lights or sirens, struck Payne’s vehicle, killing the father of seven.
Attorneys Crump and Grinke released the following statement:
“We thank the jury for listening to the evidence and recognizing the truth of what happened to Charles Payne Sr. This verdict cannot erase the overwhelming pain of losing him, but it is an important measure of justice for his family. We are grateful for every prayer, every word of support, and every person who stood with this family throughout this long and difficult fight. We hope this decision helps strengthen policies to ensure that law enforcement operate their vehicles in a way that keeps the communities they serve safe. We hope that no other family has to experience a tragedy like this.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
