GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Two counts have been dismissed and two others will continue in the federal civil lawsuit against Kent County and one of its deputies stemming from the death of Riley Doggett.
Following a hearing Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jonker dismissed two counts in the suit, both of which dealt with alleged violations of state law. The judge said they were moot and declined to claim jurisdiction over the state law claims. The judge also said the suit in its current form doesn’t adequately claim a violation of Doggett’s 14th Amendment rights.
As a result, the suit will go forth only on allegations that Doggett’s Fourth Amendment protections against excessive force were violated and that the county was liable.
Riley Doggett’s family files excessive force lawsuit
On April 8, 2024, 17-year-old Doggett was clipped by a Kent County Sheriff’s Office cruiser in Wyoming while running away following a car chase. He died more than a month later from his injuries. The county prosecutor decided criminal charges were not warranted, saying there was no evidence the deputy intended to harm Doggett…