George Floyd Family Attorney Returns To Represent Deceased Man With 47 Prior Charges

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, known for representing the family of George Floyd, spoke out Monday on social media about the fatal police shooting of Stephenson King Jr., urging accountability and answers for the man’s family.

King, 39, was killed on March 11 after Boston police officer Nicholas O’Malley fired three shots during an encounter with him. According to reports from Mass Daily News, the incident began after King was accused of carjacking a woman outside a pizza restaurant. Police said he then rammed a police cruiser and attempted to escape in the stolen vehicle before the shooting occurred.

In a post on Instagram, Crump said King’s relatives deserve transparency about what happened and justice for their loss. He wrote that the family is now dealing with the grief of a death that should not have taken place and said the arrest and arraignment of the officer involved reflects the seriousness of the situation. Crump added that the family deserves full disclosure, genuine accountability, and timely justice, promising to continue advocating on their behalf.

Records show that King had accumulated 47 criminal charges in Boston over the years, including allegations of breaking and entering, strangulation, and firearms violations across 17 separate cases spanning two decades. At the time he was shot, he had been released on bail while facing four felony charges and also had an active warrant. Only months earlier, a judge appointed by Attorney General Maura Healey had allowed him to remain free without bail.

Officer Nicholas O’Malley has since been charged with manslaughter by Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, who is currently running for reelection. Following the charge, a fundraising campaign was organized to support O’Malley and his family. The campaign raised more than $500,000, and about 60 fellow officers attended his arraignment in court.

The fundraiser describes the situation as an unexpected hardship for the O’Malley family, noting that the officer and his spouse are raising two young children and face financial uncertainty.

Crump frequently represents families in prominent cases involving deaths connected to police or federal law enforcement. Earlier this year, he also addressed the death of Keith Porter Jr., who was killed on New Year’s Eve by an off-duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Crump described Porter as a father, son, and brother and said the family is seeking answers and justice. He said he will continue to stand with Porter’s relatives until they receive transparency and accountability.