Jury Awards $32 Million in Damages to Family of Suicidal Teen Wrongfully Killed by Benton Police

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A federal jury in Little Rock has awarded $32 million in damages to the family of a suicidal teenager who was killed by the Benton police in 2016. The jury reached its verdict on Monday against the City of Benton and former Police Chief Kirk Lane. The case brings attention to issues of police conduct and accountability, with significant implications for civil rights and law enforcement practice. The incident occurred on October 17, 2016, when the mother of 17-year-old Keagan Schweikle called 911 to report that he had threatened suicide with … Read more