A federal judge approved [order, PDF] a settlement Tuesday between the family of Michael Brown and the city of Ferguson, Missouri. The settlement was approved [NPR report] by Judge E Richard Webber of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri [official Website], and details of the settlement agreement will remain sealed. Webber stated, “disclosure of the terms of the settlement agreement could jeopardize the safety of individuals involved in this matter, whether as witnesses, parties, or investigators.” The suit had alleged violations of civil rights, improperly trainined and supervised officers, and failure to conduct a fair and impartial investigation. The original lawsuit sought [CNN report] punitive and compensatory damages in excess of $75,000 and attorney fees.

Ferguson gained international attention after the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown. The response to the shooting set off massive protests and social unrest. In October a federal judge dismissed [JURIST report] Ferguson protesters’ lawsuit against police. In August a new Municipal Court judge in Ferguson ordered sweeping reforms of courtroom practices following a damning federal report of racial bias [JURIST report]. The Department of Justice report released last year cleared [JURIST report] the former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson from federal prosecution for Brown’s death. Former attorney general Eric Holder additionally stated that the report showed that racial disparities in police practices could not be alternatively explained other than through racial bias, which he says is proven through statistics and an examination of records and emails.