Federal jury: Racine County liable in inmate death

By: Associated Press//February 5, 2012//

Listen to this article

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A federal jury found Racine County and two officials liable for damages in the death of jail inmate.

Kendal Leonard died Sept. 1, 2007, after complaining of chest pains while serving a 20-day sentence.

According to the a civil suit his estate filed in 2009, he told staff he was taking medication for a heart condition, but no medically trained personnel screened him.

Jurors Thursday found the county, former Sheriff Robert Carlson, and deputy Andrew Ellenberger were indifferent to Leonard’s medical needs and awarded $630,000 in compensatory damages.

The verdict also assessed $60,000 in punitive damages against Ellenberger and $310,000 against Carlson.

Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said he found no fault in how it was handled.

The Journal Times of Racine reports the county’s attorneys were not available for comment on Friday.

Information from: The Journal Times, http://www.journaltimes.com

Select Region or Brand

Upcoming Event