Date: 06-24-2017

Case Style:

Case Number:

Judge: Not Available

Court: Superior Court, Pierce County, Washington

Plaintiff's Attorney: Jack Connelly and Nathan Roberts

Defendant's Attorney: Not Available

Description: Tacoma, WA - Jury Awards Plaintiff $2.9 Million In Damages On Wrongful Death Claim

Kim Meline sued The State of Washington and Western State Hospital on governmental tort claim wrongful death theories claiming that she was damaged as a direct result on negligence on the part of the Defendants' employees for the death of Robert Meline, age 59, who was killed as he slept in 2013 by Jonathan Meline.

The Plaintiff claimed that the Defendant's employees failed to exercise due care when they released Jonathan Meline from custody after he was involuntarily committed for psychiatric care. Nine months after he was release, he killed is father with a hatch.

Jonathan Meline had a long history of mental illness including delusions, paranoid schizophrenia and violent behavior.

The Defendants' attorneys asserted that the release of Meline was proper under the circumstances.

Outcome: Plaintiff's verdict for $2.9 million.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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