Boot Camp Wrongful Death Lawsuit Postponed

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A judge announced yesterday that the wrongful death lawsuit filed against two boot camp guards will not begin until the criminal trial is over. Guards at a Panama City Boot Camp beat and kicked Martin Lee Anderson in early January 2006. The beating was caught on videotape and has been seen on local and national news stations around the country.

Seven drill instructors and a camp nurse stand charged with aggravated manslaughter of a minor in the case. If convicted, they could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. The guards are due to enter pleas today in Panama City.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that because the lawsuit involves the guards, their right against self-incrimination prevents them from taking the stand in their defense at the civil trial, The News Herald reported.

Anderson's family claimed the boy was denied proper medical care and filed a $40 million wrongful death suit against the guards, the Bay County Sheriff's office and the Department of Juvenile Justice.