Lange v. City of Des Moines

HAYDEN, Judge.

On January 1, 1983, the plaintiff, Fred Lange, a thirty-three year old mildly retarded man, was sexually abused by another prisoner while incarcerated in the Des Moines Municipal Jail on a public intoxication charge. On May 23, 1983, Lange filed a petition at law against the City of Des Moines, seeking damages for injuries which he alleged resulted from the city’s negligent supervision of the jail. A jury trial commenced on November 18, 1985.

Prior to trial the city filed a motion in limine seeking to exclude evidence regarding the installation or existence of surveillance…