Dutchess County to pay estate of former jail inmate who committed suicide

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Legislature is set to approve a $50,000 settlement to the estate of Kaseem Pankey, who hanged himself while an inmate at the county jail on November 26, 2014.
Pankey, who was 24 years old, was being held at the jail while he faced a felony grand larceny charge.
A resolution to come before the legislature in committee on Thursday said the settlement came following the filing of a federal lawsuit alleging the county violated his constitutional rights and was negligent with regard to his custody in the jail.
Negotiations were conducted before a US District Court magistrate judge during which the county attorney recommended that all claims against the county and its employees be settled for $50,000.
Days before Pankey’s death, his Facebook page, which is still posted, included entries by him including one that stated: “Kaseem Javel Pankey is ready to live with God in heaven” and “God please let me come home.”