Special prosecutor named in jail inmate death

A local attorney has been appointed the special prosecutor in the death of a Hall County Jail inmate.

Rachel Daugherty will lead the investigation into the death of Jeffrey Todd Hansen, according to a press release from the Hall County attorney's office.

Hansen, 42, of Grand Island died just before 1 p.m. Monday at St. Francis Medical Center after being transported from the jail Sunday evening.

Chief Deputy Hall County Attorney Michelle Oldham sent out a press release on Monday announcing the death. However, the release didn't say how Hansen received the injuries that led to his death, and Oldham wouldn't comment on the matter.

Hall County Corrections Director Fred Ruiz confirmed on Tuesday that Hansen's death was a suicide, but Ruiz didn't elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Hansen's death.

Daugherty said on Tuesday that she hadn't yet received any information in the case and added that, even once she receives reports, she is limited in what she can release.

A grand jury will be convened, which is required by state statute whenever someone dies in law enforcement custody or while being taken into custody. A special prosecutor is also required by law in such cases.

Hansen's death is being investigated by South Central Law Enforcement, a cooperative alliance that includes the sheriff's departments from Hall, Buffalo, Adams, Phelps and Dawson counties; police departments from Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings and Holdrege; and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Once their work is complete, Daugherty said, she is required to have three additional investigators outside the jurisdiction and outside the initial investigation review the incident and report to her.

Hansen's death is the first in the new Hall County Jail. Inmates were transferred from the old jail into the new facility on July 14 and 15.

Hansen was being held at the jail pending a preliminary hearing for theft by unlawful taking for a July 31 incident. According to jail book-in records, he was arrested by a Grand Island police officer on that date.

According to court records, Hansen's bond was initially set at 10 percent of $35,000 but was lowered to 10 percent of $5,000 on Aug. 5. His preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 15, and the Hall County public defender's office had been appointed to represent him.

The charge filed against Hansen listed him as homeless.

In addition to his Hall County case, Hansen was charged in Madison County with felony theft by unlawful taking for a July 23 incident. The case was filed on July 29, and there was a hold on him for Madison County at the Hall County Jail.