Judge tosses suit against officer in jail shooting

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the family of a suspect whose fatal shooting by a police officer outside a central Pennsylvania holding cell was caught on tape.

A federal judge on Monday dismissed the wrongful death suit filed by the family of Ronald Whitaker Jr. They had sued parties including Springettsbury Township and the former police officer who shot and killed Whitaker during a struggle in 2008.

Authorities say Whitaker attacked Officer Gary Utter after Utter discovered Whitaker trying to hang himself. Utter was cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation by state police.

Whitaker had been arrested after he allegedly robbed a grocery store.