US Edition
Jury awards family of Wichita teen who died in custody $8.3M in excessive force lawsuit
The jury found five juvenile officers used or failed to prevent excessive force during the restraint of Cedric Lofton, whose death was ruled a homicide.
- On Wednesday, a federal jury in Wichita awarded $8.3 million to Lofton’s family after finding five Sedgwick County juvenile officers liable for excessive force in his 2021 death.
- After a family bereavement, Lofton’s mental health worsened and a sergeant deemed him too combative, so officers took him to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center instead.
- Held facedown for 39 minutes, officials showed officers used a body-length WRAP device with leg and ankle restraints, and the autopsy ruled Lofton's Sept. 26, 2021 death a homicide.
- Sedgwick County said Wednesday it is reviewing the verdict and discussing next steps, while Marc Bennett, Sedgwick County district attorney, said the `stand-your-ground` law blocked involuntary manslaughter charges.
- By rejecting `excited delirium`, jurors addressed diagnostic controversy and highlighted risks of prolonged prone restraint, which may prompt changes in juvenile detention centers, John Marrese said Thursday.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Kansas foster teen's family awarded $8.3 million after his death at juvenile intake center
Jurors have awarded $8.3 million to the family of a Kansas foster teen who died in 2021 after he was held facedown for 39 minutes in a juvenile intake center while in the throes of a mental health crisis
Justice for C J Lofton: Overcoming Excessive Force in Foster Care Tragedy
Justice for C J Lofton: Overcoming Excessive Force in Foster Care Tragedy A Kansas jury awarded $8.3 million to Cedric "C J" Lofton's family after determining that excessive force by five juvenile officers led to his death in 2021. The teen died following a prolonged restraint during a mental health crisis.Defense arguments citing "excited delirium," a contentious diagnosis, were dismissed by jurors. Major medical associations have discredited t…
Jury awards $8.3 million to foster teen’s family after his death at juvenile intake center
Jurors have awarded $8.3 million to the family of a Kansas foster teen who died in 2021 after he was held facedown for 39 minutes in a juvenile intake center while in the throes of a mental health crisis.
Associated Press News
Jury awards $8.3 million to foster teen's family after his death at juvenile intake center
A jury has awarded $8.3 million to the family of a Kansas foster teen who died in 2021 after being held facedown for 39 minutes in a juvenile intake center as he underwent a mental health crisis.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
