Melville v. State

Three months after his release from prison, a former inmate murdered his ex-wife, their young daughter and the ex-wife's viable unborn child. He then committed suicide. This suit against the State of Washington is by the surviving spouse of the inmate's ex-wife and father of the unborn child. The suit is brought in his individual capacity and as personal representative of the estates of the victims. Defendant's motion for summary judgment was granted. We affirm.

The controlling issue is whether the State had a duty to provide mental health treatment to the inmate while he was in custody.

Plainti…