Justice Levinson is displaying a bit more "insider hardball" than Ms. Sheehan.  Justice Levinson knows that if you know the way the majority is going to vote, and you want to have influence on the majority, you have to vote with them.  Sheehan's principled stand might leave her on the outside looking in while the terms are negotiated -- "She's going to vote no, so why let her be involved?"  

The cash settlement will involve a release of all liability -- meaning any lawsuit the Chief has pending now against the C&C will go away, and he won't be able to file any new lawsuits in the future.  

I'd be ok with it if there was also a provision that he's on his own for attorneys fees and costs for defending himself in any criminal or civil litigation that arises in the future.  For example, the uncle has sued him and the C&C for violating his civil rights.  The Chief should have to pay for his own legal defense.   Same for any other suits filed in the future.