Name not reported
A man was held in a jail in Indiana when a mob took him and killed him. His children later sued the sheriff, arguing that he failed in his duty to protect the man in his custody. At trial before a U.S. judge, the judge told the jury that a sheriff owes a prisoner in his custody the same duty of care owed to property and animals in his possession.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched (disputed; neglect alleged). The children of the man, in their lawsuit against the sheriff, say he failed in his duty to protect the prisoner from a mob that took him from the jail and killed him.
Reported by: children of the deceased, in a lawsuit against the sheriff (family or their lawyers); U.S. district judge who tried the case (court).
Lawsuit: The man's children sued the sheriff, arguing he failed in his duty to protect the prisoner, and a U.S. judge later instructed the jury that a sheriff owes a prisoner in his custody the same duty of care owed to property and animals in his possession.