BY JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- The Kenton County jailer, facing a $50 million lawsuit over the death of a diabetic inmate, has hired his own lawyer.
The decision that he should be represented separately from the Kenton Fiscal Court points out that the two county entities may have differing viewpoints in the case.
Jailer Don Younger "definitely feels that he's not wrong, but I'm not willing to say he's right," said Kenton Judge-executive Rodney "Biz" Cain. "If there's a difference of opinion between us, I could see (County Attorney) Garry (Edmondson) recommending that he get his own attorney."
The lawsuit was filed last week by the family of James Franklin, a 68-year-old man who was found dead in an isolation cell June 26. Jail deputies told police during the death investigation that Mr. Franklin's cell was often dirty with his excrement and that he often took his clothes off and seemed disoriented.
The investigation found no criminal wrongdoing. Mr. Franklin's three children are not happy with that. They want a more thorough check into how their father was treated during the 13 days he spent in the jail.
Mr. Edmondson said Tuesday he recommended that Mr. Younger get his own attorney because the interests and positions of the jail and fiscal court could be in conflict.
Mr. Younger has hired attorney David Steele.
