Attempt to Avoid Inmate Death Lawsuit

LONGVIEW � The legal fight over the December 2010 death of a Gregg County Jail inmate goes to a last-ditch mediation hearing Friday. Should mediation fail, jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in U.S. District Court in Marshall. According to the Longview News-Journal, the survivors of Amy Lynn Cowling of Gilmer filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Gregg County following her death while in jail custody. Cowling died on the fifth day she was in jail, held on misdemeanor theft charges and unpaid traffic tickets.

The federal court record indicates attorneys will meet Friday in Marshall for a one-day mediation hearing in U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap�s court. This would be the second time mediation has been attempted in the case. Jury selection also is scheduled to begin Monday, with the trial slated for January 22.