Betty Lewis, Julian Lewis's widow, stands with lawyers Francys Johnson (left) and Mawuli Davis while announcing their intent to sue the state of Georgia.
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Betty Lewis, Julian Lewis's widow, stands with lawyers Francys Johnson (left) and Mawuli Davis while announcing their intent to sue the state of Georgia.

Credit: WSAV News 3

The family of a Black man killed by a Georgia State Patrol trooper this summer plans to sue the state of Georgia for wrongful death, according to a legal notice filed Monday.

Trooper Jacob Gordon Thompson, who is white, was charged with murder for shooting and killing Julian Lewis during a traffic stop in rural Screven County in August. Thompson was also fired.

Lewis’s wife, Betty Lewis, called his death “devastating” at a news conference announcing the lawsuit.

“The money will not bring my husband back; no amount of money will bring him back,” she said. “I loved my husband. He’s not here. But justice will be served.”

Lewis’s family is seeking $1 million from the state, the maximum allowed by law. The family also plans to file a federal civil rights lawsuit.