Parents of Boston Celtics fan who died after 2008 celebration arrest settle with city for $3M

Parents of Celtics fan settle with Boston for $3M

BOSTON — The parents of a Celtics fan who stopped breathing and later died after Boston police took him into custody during 2008 NBA championship celebrations have settled with the city for $3 million.

The settlement announced Thursday by a lawyer for the parents of David Woodman came on the same day the Celtics were scheduled to play the Los Angeles Lakers in the deciding Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.

The 22-year-old Woodman died 11 days after police took him into custody on a public drinking charge on June 18, 2008.

Woodman’s parents blamed their son’s death on Boston police. An independent investigation found that officers acted reasonably and concluded the death was caused by a pre-existing heart condition.

A city lawyer says there is no admission of liability in the settlement, which is in the best interest of all parties.