KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The city of Ottawa and several police officers and deputies have agreed to waive being served court summonses from the family of Joseph Jennings. Jennings, 18, was shot several times and killed by Ottawa officers and Franklin County deputies during a 17-minute confrontation on Aug. 23, 2014, in the Orscheln’s parking lot in Ottawa. Jennings’ family is suing the city, county and 10 officers in federal court as a result of his death. By agreeing to the waiver, the city and officers are following a federal court guideline designed to reduce unnecessary court costs. Under the waiver rule, the defendants must offer a reply if they intend to fight the lawsuit. However, the waiver gives defendants additional time to respond. Federal judge Daniel Crabtree and magistrate judge James O’Hara will handle the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan.
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m.
