US EditionJury 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 Cedric `C.J.` Lofton’s family after finding five Sedgwick County juvenile officers liable.
- Officers used a WRAP body-length restraint with locking shoulder harness, leg restraints, and ankle straps, then shackled Cedric `C.J.` Lofton's ankles and held him prone after nearly an hour persuading him during a mental-health crisis in Wichita, Kan.
- Autopsy ruled his death a homicide, body-camera video shows officers spent nearly an hour persuading Cedric `C.J.` Lofton, and paramedics rushed him before he died two days later.
- Sedgwick County said in a news release Wednesday it is reviewing the verdict and discussing next steps, while John Marrese praised jurors for rejecting `excited delirium` on Thursday.
- The verdict could prompt changes to juvenile detention centers and intake practices, as critics say `excited delirium` was often used to justify excessive force during mental-health crises.
14 Articles
14 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.
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