Special prosecutor named in inmate death case

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 of Grand Island, according to a press release from the Hall County attorney's office.

Hansen, 42, 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 J. 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.

When contacted this morning, Daugherty said she hadn't yet received any information in the case and didn't know whether Hansen's injuries were self-inflicted. She 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.

Daugherty said once their work is complete, she is required to get three additional investigators outside of the jurisdiction and outside of the initial investigation to 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.

He 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, Hansen was arrested by a Grand Island police officer on that date.