By Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The estate of a Lexington homicide victim is suing the city police, claiming wrongful death.
Umi Southworth died a year ago and authorities charged her husband with murder.
In a lawsuit filed Friday by Fayette County Public Administrator Dennis A. Bradley on behalf of the couple's 13-year-old daughter, the estate claims police left Umi Southworth lying outside while they questioned Donald Southworth Jr. about his wife's beating. The lawsuit claims police acted in a "reckless, wanton and egregious manner" by failing to realize the victim was still alive.
When a coroner's office employee found that Southworth was alive, she was taken to a hospital, but died the next day.
Donald Southworth pleaded not guilty to a murder charge on June 3.
City spokeswoman Susan Straub declined to comment on the lawsuit.
