Major lawsuit in boot camp case

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

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Anderson's family disputed the original autopsy results.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The family of a 14-year-old boy who died in January hours after being manhandled by guards at a Bay County juvenile boot camp plans to file a lawsuit for more than $40 million.

The lawyer who represents the family of Martin Anderson says he will sue in Leon County court for damages against the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Bay County Sheriff's Office. Bay County officials previously rejected an offer to settle for its insurance policy limit of $3 million.

Bay County Sheriff's officials had no comment about the lawsuit. Before closing, the camp was run by the sheriff's office for the Juvenile Justice Department.

An initial autopsy found Anderson died a natural death. But a second autopsy concluded he died of suffocation when guards covered his mouth while forcing ammonia capsules up his nose trying to revive him.

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