May 21, 2015 2 min read

The family of a Washington County jail inmate who committed suicide in February has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county, its jail and Warden John Temas.

The lawsuit claims Richard A. Kempf, 31, of Washington, committed suicide on Feb. 2 after being denied medical treatment. Kempf’s sister, Amanda Kempf, filed the lawsuit on behalf of her brother and his estate in April.

Herbert Terrell, the Kempfs’ lawyer, is alleging Richard Kempf’s constitutional rights were violated, according to court documents.

Kempf, of 350 Duncan Ave., and his mother, Brenda Kempf, 51, were arrested Jan. 6 in connection with a burglary at their neighbor’s apartment. Richard Kempf was awaiting trial on charges of burglary, theft and receiving stolen property over accusations he stole a guitar and tools from two men, court records state. The charges against his mother were dismissed April 15.

At some point, Terrell claims that Kempf suffered from anxiety, bone pain, chills, cramps, dizziness, agitation and cravings, court records state. Kempf was locked in his cell and last spoke to a correctional officer at 5:35 p.m. He was found unresponsive at 7:39 p.m. He was not on suicide watch.

“(Kempf) exhibited severe symptoms of drug withdrawal which were complicated or exacerbated by pre-existing symptoms of depression and other mental illness,” Terrell said in court documents. Kempf “repeatedly requested and was denied medical care and treatment by (jail) staff. If any such treatment was provided, the treatment was wholly inadequate to meet (Kempf’s) needs … Due proximately to (Kempf’s) inability to cope with his progressive withdrawal symptoms, including his history of depression, (Kempf) committed suicide.”

An internal investigation by the jail was conducted following Kempf’s suicide.

County Commission Chairman Larry Maggi, who also chairs the Washington County Prison Board, said in February Kempf hanged himself using a bedsheet. Suicides at the jail are uncommon, and processes are in place to prevent them, he said.

The county, the jail and Temas tried to have the suit moved to federal court in Pittsburgh, but the case was remanded back to Washington County.

County solicitor J. Lynn DeHaven said Thursday of the suit, “I haven’t seen it. It’s a tragic occurrence. We already placed our insurance carrier on notice when the incident occurred.”

It is unclear what damages the family is seeking. Terrell did not return calls for comment.