Carthage Police Chief, department removed as defendants in wrongful death lawsuit

A federal judge removed Carthage Police Chief Greg Dagnan and the Carthage Police Department as defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents and children of Daniel Holden, Jr.

Judge granted the motion by the city's attorney in an order issued today, though the ruling has no material effect on the case. 

The motion noted that the police department is part of the City of Carthage, which is also listed as a defendant, which was also the reason for Dagnan's removal.

Remaining as defendants are the City of Carthage, Jasper County Sheriff Randee Kaiser, CPD officers Brandon Walker, Marcus Wicks and Justin Butler and Jasper County corrections officers Becky Stevens, Donald Frossard and Cameron Phinney.

The lawsuit claims Holden, 38, was set up by the police in a controlled drug buy, then swallowed 13 grams of methamphetamine in an attempt to destroy the evidence and did not receive proper medical help, either from Carthage officers or from the officers at the Jasper County Detention Center.

The three-count lawsuit alleges wrongful death, failure to provide medical care and lack of training and improper policies by the two law enforcement departments, including the Carthage Police Department's use of controlled buys.