BENTON, Ark. — The family of a teenager who was shot and killed by a Benton police officer has been preparing for another legal fight after a federal judge overturned a ruling that awarded them millions of dollars in damages.
In February 2024, a federal jury awarded the Schweikle family $32 million for the death of their 17-year-old son, Keagan Schweikle, who was shot and killed by a Benton officer in 2016.
The jury found that the city and the former Benton police chief failed to train Officer Kyle Ellison and investigate exactly what happened.
However, earlier this week, a United States federal judge reversed that ruling.
According to a video released by Benton police featuring Chief Scotty Hodges and to new court documents, the judge explained how the city and former chief can't be punished if Ellison was cleared of any wrongdoing.
"The jury found that the officer who shot Schweikle acted lawfully, that's a key point; Official records show he was properly trained and supervised. We value all life, many of our officers are parents themselves this was a tragedy for everyone involved," Chief Hodges said.
Now, the eight-year fight for justice continues for the Schweikle family. Keagan's father, Dominic Schweikle said they'll do anything to get justice for Keagan.
"It's gonna be months and months more of the same waiting game, expecting the only way to go into it is expecting the worst, but hoping for the best. Knowing that, you know, they still have a chance to get it right again and hold Benton accountable and Kirk Lane accountable," Dominic explained.
The Schweikle family has already appealed twice before with each one sent back to the lower court. However, Dominic said they plan to do it once more.
"[We are] very disappointed that we have to go and be the ones appealing this time, and when this happens, which is going to be months [from now] at this point. [We hope] the judges on the panel that hear the case, do the right thing," Dominic described.
The City of Benton and the former police Chief Kirk Lane will no longer have to pay the Schweikle family.
Both sides said they'll continue to work their way through the appeals process.