Judge won't dismiss lawsuit in jail death

ADRIAN, Mich. (AP) -- A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit related to the death of a woman at the Lenawee County jail in 2007. The 50-page decision by Judge David Lawson means the case will go to trial or be settled. He says there's evidence that many people had an opportunity to help Brenda Sue Smith before she died while spending a weekend in jail on a parole violation. The 37-year-old Smith had problems with alcohol. Records show she hallucinated while in jail and experienced tremors before dying from respiratory arrest. The judge says a doctor was consulted by phone but never examined Smith. Dr. Jeffrey Stickney is being sued along with Lenawee County and jail officers. A message seeking comment was left for the county's attorney last Thursday. Published: Mon, Apr 11, 2011