Judge allows lawsuit over Livingston County Jail death

A judge has decided that a lawsuit regarding the death of a detainee at the Livingston County Jail can proceed. The case involves John Griswold, who died while in custody. Federal Judge Robert White rejected a request from Livingston County to dismiss significant parts of the lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed in Michigan by attorneys Brian McKeen and Todd Schroeder, names several defendants, including Trinity Health Michigan and Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy. The attorneys argue that Griswold’s constitutional rights were violated while he was in jail. Griswold, 54, was arrested on October 14, 2018, after displaying unusual behavior. When police arrived, they found a large amount of pills in his home. Griswold told officers that he had taken about 10 pills but did not know which ones. He was taken to the jail, where a nurse assessed him, and later sent to a hospital. There, a urine test indicated possible drug use. The attorneys claim that Griswold's medical issues were not properly addressed after he returned to jail. Thirteen hours later, he was found dead in his cell, positioned the same way since his return. They argue that deputies ignored his condition, even after he had vomited. An autopsy stated his cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest. In his ruling, Judge White noted that a jury could find that the county's failure to train deputies led to Griswold's death. He allowed the case against the county and several deputies to continue but dismissed claims against Sheriff Murphy and three others. McKeen expressed hope over the ruling, emphasizing the need for accountability and better training for jail staff in medical emergencies.