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Nearly $8M awarded to family of ex-Marine who hanged himself in jail

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. -- The family of a Marine combat veteran from New York who hanged himself in a county jail was awarded nearly $8 million.

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Bartholomew Ryan died in 2012 in a Nassau County jail. Handout

Newsday reports the jury found the health care company at the Nassau County jail and the county negligent in Bartholomew Ryan’s 2012 death. It awarded $7 million in punitive damages and $890,000 in compensatory damages.

Ryan’s family contended the Iraq war veteran did not get proper care after an arrest on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs. The lawsuit said a screening at the jail showed he was a suicide risk.

An attorney for the health care provider argued the jury unfairly awarded damages twice for pain and suffering.

A county attorney said officials properly evaluated, housed and supervised Ryan.

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