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Family files wrongful death suit against city jail

Posted at 5:10 PM, Jun 19, 2012
and last updated 2012-06-19 17:10:16-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – The family of an inmate, who died after suffering heat exposure at the Richmond City Jail, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the jail and the city.

The federal suit, filed last Friday, seeks more than $10 million in damages.

The lawsuit claims 55-year-old Grant Sleeper died in June 2010 after suffering fatal heat stroke while being housed at the jail, which has no air conditioning.

The suit said that at the time of Sleeper’s death, the temperature inside the jail was 104 degrees.

CBS 6 News contacted officials at the city jail about the lawsuit. Officials said they cannot comment on pending litigation.