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Improper Classification that Resulted in Seattle Jail Beating Settles for $37,500

Washington State’s King County Jail settled a claim that a prisoner was beaten severely by another prisoner due to improper classification for $37,500.

While at the Jail on August 2, 2003, Ian Kennedy Lennox was beaten by Carlos Martell Balcinde. The beating occurred without any provocation by Lennox, who was serving a sentence for a misdemeanor.

Balcinde was a convicted felon with a propensity for violence. Despite that, he was improperly classified in a trustee tank area with non-violent prisoners. As a result of the beating, Lennox suffered a head injury, shoulder injury, lower back injury and pain in general. He required surgery for the back injury and anticipated shoulder surgery.

Lennox, represented by counsel, filed a negligence and constitutional tort action in state court. On August 15, 2008, Lennox accepted $37,500 to settle the matter. He was represented by Seattle Attorney Charles S. Hamilton, III.

See Lennox v. King County, King County Superior Court, Case No: 06-2-37205-1. The documents related to this case are on PLN’s website.

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Related legal case

Lennox v. King County