The jury determined Friday that Dallas homicide Detective Dwayne Thompson showed a reckless disregard for the civil rights of 36-year-old Hephzibah Olivia Lord. She was arrested in 2010 for the shooting death of 30-year-old Michael Burnside.
The Dallas Morning News reports it was later determined that Burnside shot himself at his home following a night of drinking and arguing with Lord.
Lord's attorney, Don Tittle, says the award could exceed $1 million when all fees are factored in.
City attorneys had argued Thompson acted on information available to him the night of the shooting.
Lord spent nine days in jail after her arrest. A grand jury declined to indict her.
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