MONROE - A civil case aimed at local and state government agencies in the alleged wrongful death of a Monroe teen who died while incarcerated at the Green County Jail may add another plaintiff seeking compensation.
Troy Allan Peotter is the biological father to Kyle Peotter, 17, who died on Jan. 30, 2013 in the Green County Jail, and could be represented in the civil case and be liable for compensation. Troy Peotter is incarcerated at New Castle Correctional Facility in Indiana on a conviction of incest and sexual misconduct with a minor. Troy Peotter had little involvement in Kyle Peotter's life since Troy Peotter's conviction in 2010. Prior to Kyle Peotter's incarceration, Kyle Peotter was under the guardianship of his mother Amber DeGraff and his step-father Michael DeGraff.
Kyle Peotter was found unresponsive and not breathing on his cell bed and pronounced dead at the jail. He allegedly died of a methadone overdose; methadone is a synthetic opiate used to treat severe chronic pain and heroin dependence.
Troy Peotter spoke via telephone in Green County Circuit Court Wednesday and said he has been unable to gain legal representation because his phone use is limited while incarcerated. Judge Thomas Vale said the court will seek out a local attorney on Troy Peotter's behalf who will determine if he has a possible claim in this suit. Troy Peotter had been contacted several times before and was provided with both the original and amended complaint in the civil suit, but he never contacted Michael Witt, representing the DeGraffs.
Vale asked Witt to draft a document seeking an attorney to assess whether Troy Peotter has a viable claim, and the issue will be revisited on Nov. 6 for a scheduling conference. Vale told Troy Peotter that counsel will be retained only to look if a claim is viable, not for long-term representation unless a viable claim is found.
"If you were not incarcerated I would not give this kind of latitude, but since you are in prison I believe it is an excusable reason for us to retain counsel for him," Vale said.
The case has been held up for a number of months due to an ongoing John Doe investigation into the death of Kyle Peotter and the detective investigating has taken an oath of secrecy until the investigation concludes.
Kyle Peotter had been in jail for five months before he died. He was jailed on Sept. 27 after being arrested for felony charges of vehicle theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His arrest came after a number of run-ins with Monroe police for minor infractions like drawing graffiti, being disorderly and trespassing.
Troy Allan Peotter is the biological father to Kyle Peotter, 17, who died on Jan. 30, 2013 in the Green County Jail, and could be represented in the civil case and be liable for compensation. Troy Peotter is incarcerated at New Castle Correctional Facility in Indiana on a conviction of incest and sexual misconduct with a minor. Troy Peotter had little involvement in Kyle Peotter's life since Troy Peotter's conviction in 2010. Prior to Kyle Peotter's incarceration, Kyle Peotter was under the guardianship of his mother Amber DeGraff and his step-father Michael DeGraff.
Kyle Peotter was found unresponsive and not breathing on his cell bed and pronounced dead at the jail. He allegedly died of a methadone overdose; methadone is a synthetic opiate used to treat severe chronic pain and heroin dependence.
Troy Peotter spoke via telephone in Green County Circuit Court Wednesday and said he has been unable to gain legal representation because his phone use is limited while incarcerated. Judge Thomas Vale said the court will seek out a local attorney on Troy Peotter's behalf who will determine if he has a possible claim in this suit. Troy Peotter had been contacted several times before and was provided with both the original and amended complaint in the civil suit, but he never contacted Michael Witt, representing the DeGraffs.
Vale asked Witt to draft a document seeking an attorney to assess whether Troy Peotter has a viable claim, and the issue will be revisited on Nov. 6 for a scheduling conference. Vale told Troy Peotter that counsel will be retained only to look if a claim is viable, not for long-term representation unless a viable claim is found.
"If you were not incarcerated I would not give this kind of latitude, but since you are in prison I believe it is an excusable reason for us to retain counsel for him," Vale said.
The case has been held up for a number of months due to an ongoing John Doe investigation into the death of Kyle Peotter and the detective investigating has taken an oath of secrecy until the investigation concludes.
Kyle Peotter had been in jail for five months before he died. He was jailed on Sept. 27 after being arrested for felony charges of vehicle theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His arrest came after a number of run-ins with Monroe police for minor infractions like drawing graffiti, being disorderly and trespassing.