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NewsMyNewsLA — CrimeOctober 24, 2026Los Angeles County

Judge Denies Los Angeles County Bid to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Stanley Wilson Jr.’s Death in Custody

Photo: MyNewsLA — Crime

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied the county's motion to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of former NFL player Stanley Wilson Jr. The lawsuit alleges that medical negligence and custodial failures while he was detained at Twin Towers Jail in 2023 caused his death. A trial is tentatively scheduled for April 5, 2027.

Legal ProceedingsPublic SafetyMental Health
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Why It Matters

The ruling allows a civil lawsuit against Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Department of State Hospitals to proceed to trial over alleged custodial and medical failures.

Key Facts

  • Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard Fruin denied Los Angeles County's motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Stanley Wilson Jr.'s family.
  • Trial for the case is tentatively scheduled for April 5, 2027.
  • County attorneys argued the plaintiffs shifted their allegations from an initial claim of excessive force to inadequate medical care causing a pulmonary embolism.
  • Family attorneys stated the shift in legal theories was due to a lack of critical information and video footage that was not produced until 2025.
  • Stanley Wilson Jr. died on Feb. 1, 2023, at age 40 while detained at Twin Towers Jail.
  • The lawsuit names Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Department of State Hospitals as defendants.
  • The family alleges negligence in failing to transfer Wilson to Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk by a court-ordered deadline.
  • Wilson was a former Detroit Lions cornerback who played three seasons and recorded 86 tackles before sustaining injuries in 2007 and 2008.

Who's Mentioned

PersonRichard Fruin“Los Angeles Superior Court Judge presiding over the case.”OrganizationStanford University“Alma mater of Stanley Wilson Jr.”PersonStanley Wilson Jr.“Former NFL player who died while in custody in 2023.”OrganizationMetropolitan State Hospital“Hospital in Norwalk where Wilson was ordered to be transferred.”OrganizationLos Angeles County“Defendant in the lawsuit regarding custody death.”OrganizationDepartment of State Hospitals“Named defendant in the lawsuit.”OrganizationDetroit Lions“Former NFL team of Stanley Wilson Jr.”OrganizationLos Angeles County Sheriff’s Department“Named defendant and agency involved in the government claim.”locationTwin Towers Jail“Jail facility where Wilson was detained.”locationNorwalk“City where Metropolitan State Hospital is located.”