Plainville pays to settle lawsuit filed in 2002 jail suicide
PLAINVILLE, Conn. --Plainville officials have agreed to pay $57,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of a man who hanged himself while in police custody in 2002.
Police say that 51-year-old John P. Rasmus was arrested Dec. 15, 2002 on third-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges.
A few hours after his arrest police at the jail discovered Rasmus's body. Police say Rasmus had hanged himself with a flannel shirt he was wearing.
One of the arresting officers was so concerned about Rasmus' emotional state that he filed a report shortly after booking him indicating there was a suicide risk.
The Plainville town attorney says the case was scheduled to come to trial next month.
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Information from: The Herald, http://www.newbritainherald.com 