Lawsuit filed by family of man who committed suicide in Menard County Jail

The family of Michael Kozletsky has filed a federal lawsuit against Menard County, alleging jail staff failed to follow suicide prevention procedures before Kozletsky’s death in May 2020. According to reports by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, jailers did not complete a required suicide screening form, had not received suicide prevention training since 2018, and failed to conduct required welfare checks. Kozletsky had reportedly stated he “would be dead” the next day, yet was placed on only 30-minute observation instead of continuous monitoring.

Attorney Dean Malone, representing Kozletsky’s family, said the death was entirely preventable and reflected a broader pattern of neglect in Texas jails. “There is absolutely no excuse for putting a suicidal inmate into a cell with items that can be used as ligatures,” Malone stated. He emphasized that suicide can occur in under three minutes and that continuous monitoring is critical for prevention. The lawsuit alleges violations of Kozletsky’s constitutional rights to medical care, safety, and humane treatment while detained pre-trial.

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