Wednesday, January 20, 1999
Officials accused of role in jail death
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — A counterpunch has been thrown to match the jab Kenton County officials threw last month in a court battle over the death of a diabetic man, James Franklin, at the Kenton County Jail.
On Tuesday, Scott Greenwood, an attorney representing the family of Mr. Franklin in a $1 million federal lawsuit — said former Kenton County Fiscal Court members had some responsibility in the June death.
He did so in a memorandum that responded to former Kenton fiscal court members, who have said in their own set of court documents that they should not pay for any legal costs in the case because they were not aware of James Franklin's medical state and the conditions he endured.
Fiscal court members' “own knowledge of the law, and their refusal to follow it, coupled with their assertion of ignorance regarding a facility under their oversight authority, supports only two possible conclusions: one, they were "plainly incompetent,' or two, they knowingly violated the law,” the memorandum said.
In the documents, Mr. Greenwood also contended that Kenton County officials, including former Jailer Don Younger, became responsible for Mr. Franklin's health and safety when they placed him in the jail.
“The fiscal court defendants' claim of ignorance is inconsistent with the duty to James Franklin, which they assumed when they took him into custody and held him in their dungeon-like jail,” the documents stated.
Defense attorneys could not be reached.
Show must go on at Wilson after arson
Social Security won't recognize child's rare disease
Second 911 operator gets job back
Strip-for-groceries teacher not guilty
Settlement closer over radiation tests
Moore says pick a passion in your life
Butler to pay Kenton Co. $425,000 to settle lawsuit
Dealer pleads guilty in art case
Driver with past indicted in fatality
Jerry Handorf's madcap world
Lucasville prison in lockdown after tip on security breach
Minority figures up on stadium
Officers ordered to attend counseling
Officials accused of role in jail death
School gym classes using fitness clubs
School leaders worry voters won't pay for improvements
Tickets for pope's visit tough to get
TV drama a dream for Ohio writer
Builder recommended for Boone Co. courthouse
Fire departments face dilemma
Flu arrives late in Tristate; only 2 confirmed cases in Ohio
Kenton studies schools' help line
Man gets 13 years for killing brother
Man shot, seriously wounded
'Need you to help' in Honduras
Newport misses out on funds
Planners lose leader in Monroe
Police reviews supported
Suspect captured after wild car chase
Township to contest annexation
TRISTATE DIGEST
