Court reinstates part of suit over sheriff's death

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A lawsuit brought by the family of a slain one-time eastern Kentucky sheriff can go forward after being reinstated by the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

The appellate panel on Friday reinstated the suit against former Harlan County Sheriff Steve Duff and now-imprisoned deputy Roger Dean Hall. The two were sued over the 2002 death of ex-sheriff Paul L. Browning Jr. as he sought to win a return to the sheriff's office.

The 57-year-old Browning disappeared in March 2002 while campaigning. His remains were identified in a burned-out truck several days later.

Judge Jeff S. Taylor concluded that Hall wasn't entitled to immunity from being sued and Duff wasn't immune from being sued for Hall's actions in arranging Browning's slaying.

Hall is serving a five-year sentence in state prison for his role in the plot.