Bryant v. Boyd County Detention Center

Case Background

Derrick Bryant’s estate, representing his daughter, filed a civil rights lawsuit against the officers at Boyd County Detention Center after Derrick took his own life after nine days in an isolation cell. The lawsuit alleged the correctional officers were deliberately indifferent to his deteriorating medical condition as well as being negligent and claimed their conduct constituted an Eighth Amendment violation.

The case was filed in the United States District Court, Kentucky Eastern. Judge Danny C. Reeves presided over this case. [Case number: 0:22-18]

Cause

On March 3, 2021, authorities booked Derrick Bryant, 37, into the Boyd County Detention Center for a probation violation and failing to appear for traffic offenses. Officials placed him in an isolated cell with another inmate due to Covid-19 restrictions.

On the third day, Bryant showed signs of distress, allegedly faked a seizure, and said his “thoughts wouldn’t stop.” By the ninth day, his behavior grew more erratic. He expressed despair, saying, “I can’t stand it. I can’t be here.”

Staff sent Bryant to the recreation yard, where he continued displaying psychological distress and pretended to have another seizure. Afterward, jail nurse Susan Scott evaluated him and recommended placing him on suicide watch.

The jail staff denied hearing this recommendation. They claimed they asked the nurse if Bryant was “good to go,” and she reportedly confirmed.

Staff returned Bryant to his cell without placing him on suicide watch. Less than an hour later, they found him hanging by a bed sheet. Medical personnel transported him to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead from suicide.

Damages

If Bryant’s estate, representing his daughter won at trial, it sought compensation for medical bills and $350,000 for Bryant’s lost earning capacity. The jury could also award up to $1,000,000 for his pain and suffering.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Derrick Bryant
    • Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Sebastian M. Joy
  • Defendant(s): Boyd County Detention Center | Sergeant Timothy Rucker | Deputy Tracie Payne | Deputy Zachary Hunter
    • Counsel for Defendant(s): Jeffrey C. Mando | Olivia F. Amlung

Claims

Bryant’s estate, representing his daughter, filed a lawsuit against the jail, claiming deliberate indifference and negligence by three correctional officers: Sergeant Timothy Rucker and Deputies Tracie Payne and Zachary Hunter. The case centered on the argument that although Bryant was not suicidal when he entered the facility, his mental health deteriorated over the nine days he was incarcerated. This decline was particularly severe due to the strict COVID-19 isolation measures, which were harsher than those for the general population.

The estate argued that Bryant’s suicide was a preventable tragedy. Nurse Scott had warned the jail staff that he needed to be placed on suicide watch, but the correctional officers failed to act on her advice. The estate’s expert on jail practices, Jeff Eiser from Cincinnati, Ohio, supported this claim.

Defense

The defense strongly denied that Nurse Scott had warned them about the need for a suicide watch. Although Bryant’s behavior was erratic, including allegedly faking a seizure in the yard, they argued that he did not show signs of imminent suicide.

The defendants filed for summary judgment, claiming qualified immunity. Judge Reeves denied the motion. The defendants appealed, and the Sixth Circuit upheld the decision. The case was then set for trial.

Jury Verdict

The case was tried in Ashland over three days. On November 1, 2024, a mixed verdict was returned.

The jury found all three defendants not liable for deliberate indifference. It also ruled in favor of Deputies Payne and Hunter on the negligence charge. However, the estate prevailed on the negligence claim against Sergeant Rucker. The jury awarded the estate $65,000 for Bryant’s suffering but rejected any compensation for his medical bills or loss of earning capacity.

Court Documents:

Available for purchase upon request