We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Trial Set for Lawsuit Related to Lincoln Teen’s Hanging

ne-supreme-court-gavel(AP) — A trial date has been set for a lawsuit against Lancaster County filed by the father of a teenage inmate who killed himself.

U.S. District Judge John Gerrard scheduled a jury trial for Sept. 15.

Mark Kennedy, of Lincoln, filed the lawsuit after his 16-year-old son, Jonathan Kennedy, hanged himself in a youth detention center on Feb. 26. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

The lawsuit argues that jail staff should have realized Jonathan Kennedy had mental problems and should have more effectively supervised him.

The suit seeks $5,000 in damages for funeral expenses and other unspecified damages.

A judge had ordered the boy detained for suspected drug use and self-harming behavior.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File