Judge: Evidence jail officers used excessive force

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled there is evidence that officers at a Kentucky jail used excessive force on an inmate who died in custody.

The Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/1VzlPmW ) reports U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell also says there is evidence some corrections officers at the Fayette County jail and medical staff showed deliberate indifference to the inmate.

The prisoner, Jeffrey McKinney, died in 2012 after a seizure while being restrained by corrections officers who perceived his behavior as combative.

A jury is expected to decide claims that McKinney’s family has made in a wrongful-death lawsuit.

In her ruling, Caldwell said "fact finders" could determine that excessive force was used and deliberate indifference was at issue.

She also ruled against correction officers who argued they were shielded from civil liability in the case.

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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com

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