In the Dotte dispatch: Deputy knelt on his back and he died. Family wants justice
Editor’s note: The following is from this week’s In the Dotte newsletter, published weekly on Tuesdays. You can sign up here to get them delivered to your inbox.
Good afternoon, Wyandotte County.
Charles Adair was just 50 years old when he died in the Wyandotte County Jail.
And in the roughly nine months since a deputy allegedly kneeled on his back until he became unresponsive, the KCK man’s family has tried to find some sort of legal justice. (This article is free for all to read.)
I’m Sofi Zeman, your guide through all things KCK. Let’s get to it.
Adair’s family is suing the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK, Sheriff Daniel Soptic and five unnamed deputies that were allegedly involved in his death.
The lawsuit, filed Friday, comes months after the national civil rights attorneys representing the family, gave Wyandotte County a Nov. 3 deadline to consider a $25 million settlement.
Jail staff hadn’t received proper training in three to five years, the lawsuit alleges.
And, Fatherly is still working despite being placed on administrative leave, the family says in the suit.
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And, if you have questions about Wyandotte County or a tip about what else I should look into, please email me at szeman@kcstar.com
Sofi’s selects
🚨 A former KC-area police detective accused of using department resources to stalk his spouse on duty allegedly used a handmade recording device to spy on his wife in her home
🍎 Months before thousands come to the metro for the World Cup, Kansas City detected its first case of measles in years. Here’s how KCK is preparing for the influx amid health concerns.
In Topeka
🧊 Overriding a veto by Gov. Kelly, Kansas just passed a law that allows federal immigration authorities to arrest anyone who gets too close to them on the job.
🏠 Why couldn’t legislators pass a law outlining property tax relief? “Kansans deserve better than a last-minute, half-baked constitutional amendment,” one lawmaker said.
Save the date
✏️ How much will it actually cost to build the new Argentine Middle School and KCK’s new elementary school? KCKPS board members will discuss during their 5 p.m. meeting tonight.
Thank you for reading. See ya back here next week!
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