Family Sues Over Kansas Jail Death After Deputy Allegedly Knelt on Inmate's Back

Lawsuit alleges Charles Adair died after deputy pressed his body weight onto Adair's back for over a minute.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffed wrists against a pitch-black background, the texture of the skin and metal cuffs sharply illuminated by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A harsh, unforgiving spotlight on the physical evidence of a controversial in-custody death raises urgent questions about law enforcement tactics and transparency.Kansas City Today

The family of Charles Adair has filed a federal lawsuit after investigators determined the Kansas jail inmate died when a sheriff's deputy allegedly shoved his knee into Adair's cuffed back for over a minute. The lawsuit names the Wyandotte County sheriff, the unified government, and the deputy charged with second-degree murder in Adair's death.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about use of force, mental health treatment, and transparency in law enforcement custody deaths. The family is demanding the release of video footage that authorities have so far declined to make public.

The details

Adair, who had a leg infection and was diagnosed as schizophrenic, was arrested on misdemeanor warrants and taken to the hospital before being cleared to return to jail. After an argument with a deputy, Adair was placed on his stomach in his cell, where the lawsuit alleges Deputy Richard Fatherley pressed his body weight onto Adair's back for one minute and 26 seconds until Adair died. The lawsuit claims the other deputies failed to intervene or modify tactics for Adair's mental health condition.

  • Adair was arrested in July 2025 on misdemeanor warrants.
  • Adair died in custody in July 2025 after the alleged incident with Deputy Fatherley.
  • Fatherley was charged with second-degree murder in Adair's death in 2025.
  • The federal lawsuit was filed by Adair's family in April 2026.

The players

Charles Adair

A Kansas jail inmate who died after a sheriff's deputy allegedly knelt on his back for over a minute. Adair had a leg infection and was diagnosed as schizophrenic.

Richard Fatherley

The Kansas sheriff's deputy who was charged with second-degree murder in Adair's death after allegedly shoving his knee into Adair's cuffed back for over a minute.

Ben Crump

An attorney representing Adair's family in the federal wrongful death lawsuit.

Harry Daniels

A civil rights attorney also representing Adair's family in the lawsuit.

Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that employed Deputy Fatherley and is named in the lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“The public has a right to transparency when someone dies in custody in this manner.”

— Ben Crump, Attorney representing Adair's family

“Adair's death was 'a tragic accident' but it was not a result of Fatherley's actions.”

— James Spies, Attorney for Deputy Fatherley

What’s next

A status conference in the criminal case against Deputy Fatherley is set for next month.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about use of force, mental health treatment, and transparency in law enforcement custody deaths. The family's demand for the release of video footage reflects a broader push for accountability in these types of incidents.