DENVER TO PAY $400,000 IN FATAL NO-KNOCK RAID

DENVER (AP) -- The city of Denver has agreed to pay $400,000 to avoid
a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of a man killed by police
during a raid on the wrong house.

Ismael Mena, 45, was fatally shot Sept. 29, 1999, after officers
mistakenly broke into his bedroom in a so-called ``no-knock'' raid.
Police said he threatened them with a handgun.

The Menas had asked for $5.5 million.

``I think the settlement is fair for everyone,'' said Mayor Wellington
Webb, who announced the agreement Thursday evening. ``I don't think
you can put a price on someone's life anyway. But we did the best for
both parties.''

Mena's son Heriberto, the oldest of nine children, said he was
satisfied with the settlement.

``We may have been able to do better, but I am quite satisfied,'' Mena
said, through an interpreter. But, he added, ``this will not bring my
father back.''

The settlement must now be approved by the City Council.

Two police officers were cleared last month of wrongdoing in the
shooting. A third officer, Joseph Bini, is charged with perjury. Bini,
who requested the raid, was accused of lying when he said he saw an
informant going into Mena's house to get cocaine. The correct target
was a suspected drug house next door.

The shooting prompted public outcry and criticism over the police
department's use of no-knock raids. A panel assembled by the mayor
said this week they are considering a temporary ban on the
controversial raids.