Advertiser Staff
The family of the late singer-songwriter Bryant "Mackey" Feary, Jr., who committed suicide in the Halawa prison, has reached a $175,000 settlement with the state.
Feary, a member of the local musical group Kalapana, hanged himself Feb. 20, 1999, in his cell at Halawa Correctional Facility.
His family sued the state Department of Public Safety for $1 million, claiming the department failed to adequately monitor Feary to prevent his suicide even though there were signs he was a suicide risk.
The settlement is subject to approval from the Legislature.
The lawsuit said that despite Feary’s symptoms of severe emotional distress — including suicidal tendencies — prison officials failed to give him proper mental health care, medication and other proper supervision to ensure he would not harm himself.
The suit also alleged the department unreasonably halted resuscitative measures. The lawsuit was filed by Feary’s sister, Dancetta Kamai; his son, Sebastian Feary; and his father, Bryant Mackey Feary, Sr.
Feary struggled with a crystal methamphetamine addiction and his death sparked debate about substance abuse treatment.
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