Sixth Circuit Decision on Summary Judgment in Detainee Suicide Case
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary judgment in favor of the correctional facility and its medical provider following the suicide of a pretrial detainee. The appellate court's decision rejected claims of deliberate indifference to the detainee's serious medical needs, thereby precluding liability under the Fourteenth Amendment. Furthermore, the court found insufficient evidence to establish municipal liability under Monell v. Department of Social Services. Finally, the Sixth Circuit upheld the lower court's rejection of a Batson challenge.
Case Summary
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's grant of summary judgment in favor of a county jail and its medical provider following the suicide of a pretrial detainee. The appellate court found insufficient evidence to establish either deliberate indifference to the detainee's serious medical needs or municipal liability under Monell v. Department of Social Services. Additionally, the court rejected a challenge to the jury selection process based on Batson v. Kentucky.
Case Outcome
A federal appeals court sided with a jail and its healthcare provider in a lawsuit filed after an inmate died by suicide. The court determined there was no evidence of deliberate indifference to the inmate's needs, nor was there sufficient evidence to hold the jail liable under a legal theory known as Monell. Additionally, the court rejected a claim of racial bias in jury selection.
The Case of the Detainee's Suicide
A court decided that a jail and its healthcare company were not responsible for a prisoner's suicide. The court said they did not show a lack of care or disregard for the prisoner's life. The court also agreed with earlier decisions made in the case.