Court reinstates part of suit over sheriff's death

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Court reinstates part of suit over sheriff's death

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A lawsuit brought by the family of a slain eastern Kentucky sheriff can go forward after being reinstated by the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

The appellate panel on Friday reinstated the suit against former Harlan County Sheriff Steve Duff and now-imprisoned deputy Roger Dean Hall. The two were sued over the 2002 death of then-sheriff Paul L. Browning Jr. as he sought re-election.

Browning, 57, disappeared in March 2002, while campaigning for re-election. His remains were identified in a burned out truck several days later.

Judge Jeff S. Taylor concluded that Hall wasn't entitled to immunity from being sued and Duff wasn't immune from being sued for Hall's actions in arranging Browning's slaying.

Hall is serving a five-year sentence in state prison for his role in the plot.

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