Lawsuit Dropped in Man’s Jail Cell Death

Relatives of a construction worker who was found hanged in his Torrance jail cell in 1988 have dropped their highly publicized lawsuit against the city.

Paper work requesting dismissal of the case was filed in Torrance Superior Court last week, ending a lengthy battle by 27-year-old Timothy McCauley’s family to prove that he did not commit suicide.

City Atty. Kenneth Nelson said the dismissal came after the city agreed not to seek legal costs from the family. “I think they realized there really was no case there,” Nelson said.

McCauley’s father, Donald, insisted in a brief telephone interview that the case did have merit, but declined to comment on why he had decided not to pursue it further.

McCauley was found dead in his cell the day after his arrest for traffic violations and fleeing. A sling he’d been given for a shoulder injury was around his neck.