WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — The family of Javier Ambler III will receive $5 million from Williamson County to settle a wrongful death lawsuit, court documents made available Tuesday show.

What You Need To Know

  • The family of Javier Ambler III will receive $5 million from Williamson County to settle a wrongful death lawsuit

  • Ambler died in March 2019 following and incident with Williamson County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Deputies deployed a Taser on Ambler. Body cam video showed that Ambler cried that he had congestive heart failure and couldn’t breathe.

  • A crew for the now-canceled “Live PD” television show was rolling during the incident, but that footage was later destroyed. That led to former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and Williamson County general counsel Jason Nassour being indicted for evidence tampering

  • In May of 2021, former Williamson County deputies James Johnson and Zachary Camden were charged with second-degree manslaughter

Ambler, 40, who was Black, died in March 2019 following an incident with Williamson County sheriff’s deputies.

Following a vehicle pursuit on March 28, deputies deployed a Taser on Ambler. Ambler told deputies he couldn’t breathe and had congestive heart failure. He later died at a hospital.

The incident came to light because of an investigation by the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV. A crew for the now-canceled “Live PD” television show was rolling during the incident. The “Live PD” footage never surfaced, but body cam footage showed that during the arrest Ambler pleaded for his life. Deputies maintained that he failed to follow orders.

“I am not resisting,” Ambler cried on body camera video. “Sir, I can’t breathe. ... Please. ... Please.”

The “Live PD” footage was destroyed, and that led to former Williamson Country Sheriff Robert Chody and Williamson County general counsel Jason Nassour being indicted on evidence tampering charges.

In addition, in March 2021, Travis County District Attorney José Garza announced the return of two indictments by a Travis County grand jury against former Williamson County Sheriff’s Office deputies James Johnson and Zachary Camden. Both were charged with second-degree manslaughter.

The case brought about some changes in Texas. In May 2021, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 54, also known as Javier Ambler’s Law. The law forbids Texas law enforcement agencies from entering into contracts and participating with reality television shows.  

The Associated Press contributed to this report.