Tuesday, March 14, 2000
Family of diabetic who died in Kenton jail wins settlement
BY JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — The family of a diabetic prisoner who died sick, naked and alone in Kenton County's jail in 1998 won a $350,000 settlement from the county.
The money settles a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the children of James Franklin, an inmate who died in a basement isolation cell in June 1988. The 68-year-old severe diabetic was found naked and lying in his own waste next to a partially eaten orange and a lunch meat sandwich.
Autopsy results indicated he had virtually no glucose — meaning too much insulin — in his system, either because he had injected too much insulin or was not fed the proper amount of food.
Allegations of poor treatment mushroomed after Mr. Franklin's death, when other inmates said they essentially were responsible for the man's care.
Lawyer Scott Greenwood represented Mr. Franklin's family, who alleged in their suit that jail deputies knew Mr. Franklin's diabetic condition was serious but did nothing about it.
Jail officials have said they placed Mr. Franklin in isolation because they believed he would get better medical care that way. The suit charged that one deputy let at least four hours pass without checking on Mr. Franklin. The jail's policy was that Mr. Franklin be checked every 20 minutes.
Past and current county officials also were sued. The family originally had asked for $50 million. The settlement covers all the defendants.
Mr. Greenwood said Monday night that his clients were pleased with the amount. They also were happy, he said, with the positive changes they think the suit prompted.
“The case had the impact that it was supposed to have,” Mr. Greenwood said. “The jail has changed.”
Concerns about jail operations prompted then-county officials to suggest a professional be hired to help operate the jail.
The jailer at the time, Don Younger, said he did not need any help. He was not re-elected.
Jailer Terry Carl, who replaced Mr. Younger, has acknowledged publicly that Mr. Franklin's death helped galvanize plans he and his staff were making for improving conditions in the facility.
County Attorney Garry Edmondson could not be reached for comment Monday night.
Mr. Franklin, of Elsmere, had been in the jail two weeks.
He was accused of shooting at a Covington police officer. No one was hurt in the shooting.
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