Jury trial begins in Brian Babb wrongful death lawsuit

Babb, a Eugene war veteran with physical and mental health issues, was shot to death by police in 2015.

Later.

After waiting for nearly 5 years, the family of a war veteran who was shot and killed by eugene police... is getting their day in court.

The family of brian babb, who had physical and mental health issues, is seeking 7.5 million dollars against the city of eugene over what they believe...was a wrongful death.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy spoke to babb's sister about... what this trial will mean for their family.

"we lost a family member, and the reason we're here is how we lost that family member.

And that comes back to police accountability.

We have laws like qualified immunity that enable police to kill with impunity."

Stephanie babb, the sister of afghanistan war veteran ...brian babb&is speaking out as the first day of trial is underway.

It was in march of 2015...when police had gone to the home of brian babb to perform a welfare check.

"we don't forget.

We have this every day."

Babb's therapist was concerned about his behavior and asked police to go to the home and check on him.

911 tape playing... after police arrived... they say babb pointed a rifle at one of them... and they opened fire.

The lane county d.a.

Later ruled the death justified.

But the family does not agree.

Bridge: stephanie says that brian was not just any older brother...she shared about one of her favorite memories with him...and why family is what's truly important to her.

"brian was funny and engaging and would take me hunting."

Opening statements were made after the jury was selected.

Reporting in eugene, kennedy dendy