JACKSON (AP) — The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled against the family of a Mount Olive High School football player who collapsed during practice and died in 2007.
Court records show 17-year-old Lonnie Magee died of a heat stroke.
The family sued the Covington County School District in 2008, alleging the school system was negligent in supervising the football program.
A trial judge dismissed part of the lawsuit but ruled there was a question of whether the school district had provided a safe environment for the players.
According to the court record, the team had just finished a water break when Magee, a junior lineman, collapsed and later died.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled the school district was protected from suit by the Mississippi Tort Claims Act. The court's majority said the lawsuit should have been dismissed in its entirety.
The MTCA controls all lawsuits for negligence brought against the state or local governments and public officials. The law limits damages that can be sought against the government.
Presiding Justice George C. Carlson Jr. said nothing in the court record showed the school district or the football coaches violated any law in running the football practice. Carlson said the Supreme Court has found in past cases that the conduct of football practices in a discretionary function of a school district.
"The district's discretionary decision to allow coaches the ability to set and conduct practices is rooted in policy — coaches know their players and must be able to control their teams," Carlson wrote.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice James W. Kitchens said the court had insufficient information to find the school district immune from liability.
"Neither the plaintiff nor this court knows what the coaches did or did not do on the day of Lonnie's death," Kitchens said.
Local News
NEW – Court rules in Mt. Olive wrongful death case
- Local News
-
-
Ellisville earns state-wide award
The City of Ellisville has yet another award under its belt.
-
Jones Co. native killed in Jackson accident
A Jones County native will be laid to rest this weekend after a fatal crash in Rankin County.
-
Students participate in Arbor Day event
Local residents celebrated Arbor Day for the planting of trees at several local schools.
-
Annual ‘Gift of Sight Day’ being offered
About nine people will receive free eye procedures as the Southern Eye Center in Hattiesburg observes its annual “Gift of Sight Day.”
-
Parents outraged
“It’s a sad day in East Jasper.” Those were the words of several parents who came out to the Heidelberg Multipurpose Complex Wednesday evening.
-
New No. 5 fire station ready
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be conducted today for the City of Laurel’s newest fire station.
Nearly 70 years after the construction of it’s original building, the City of Laurel’s Fire Station No. 5 has a new home. -
Arbor Day set for Feb. 10
The City of Laurel is recognizing Arbor Day and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack has proclaimed Friday, Feb. 10th, as Arbor Day in the City of Laurel.
-
JCJC’s student health fair focusing on prevention
Jones County Junior College students recently had the opportunity to discover the true meaning of Benjamin Franklin’s motto, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” at the college’s Student Health Fair. Hundreds of students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics including behavioral problems, nutrition, fitness, and foot care.
-
Aspiring to greatness
The Rev. Leander Bridges was the keynote speaker at Jones County Junior College’s Black History Program Tuesday.
-
Arrest made in bomb threat
A 19-year-old Jones County Junior College student was arrested Tuesday in connection with a bomb threat to a building on the school’s campus earlier in the day.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
