NewsMyNewsLAOctober 24, 2026Los Angeles County
Judge Denies Los Angeles County Bid to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Stanley Wilson Jr.’s Death in Custody
Photo: MyNewsLA
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that the family of late ex-NFL player Stanley Wilson Jr. can proceed to trial with a wrongful death and medical negligence lawsuit against Los Angeles County. The county had sought to dismiss the case, arguing that the family shifted their legal theories from excessive force to inadequate medical care, but the judge's denial sets a tentative trial date for April 5, 2027.
Read the full story at MyNewsLAWhy It Matters
The ruling allows a civil lawsuit examining jail custody practices, medical treatment standards, and the handling of inmates with mental illness to move forward toward a 2027 trial.
Key Facts
- A Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied the county's motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of Stanley Wilson Jr.
- Trial for the case is tentatively scheduled for April 5, 2027.
- Stanley Wilson Jr. was a 40-year-old former Detroit Lions cornerback who died on February 1, 2023, while detained at Twin Towers Jail.
- County attorneys argued the plaintiffs improperly shifted their claims from excessive force in the original government claim to inadequate medical care regarding a pulmonary embolism in later complaints.
- Family attorneys countered that the shift in legal focus was reasonable because they lacked critical information and video footage, which was not produced until 2025.
- The lawsuit names Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the Department of State Hospitals as defendants.
- The family alleges that the county failed to transfer Wilson to Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk by a court-ordered deadline and provided inadequate medical and custodial care.
- Wilson had been arrested for trespassing in November 2022, was deemed incompetent to stand trial, and had a history of mental illness.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRichard Fruin“Los Angeles Superior Court Judge who denied the dismissal motion.”OrganizationStanford University“University attended by Wilson.”PersonStanley Wilson Jr.“Deceased 40-year-old ex-NFL player whose family filed the lawsuit.”OrganizationMetropolitan State Hospital“Hospital in Norwalk where Wilson was supposed to be transferred.”OrganizationLos Angeles County“Defendant in the lawsuit.”OrganizationDepartment of State Hospitals“Named defendant in the lawsuit.”OrganizationDetroit Lions“NFL team that drafted Wilson.”OrganizationLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department“Named defendant and agency involved in the custody of Wilson.”locationNorwalk“City location of Metropolitan State Hospital.”OrganizationTwin Towers Jail“Facility where Stanley Wilson Jr. was detained.”