BRETT BARROUQUERE
Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Supreme Court has reinstated a damage award to the family of a teenage informant killed while working for police, but lowered the amount the state must pay.

The high court found that Kentucky State Police detectives made inexcusable mistakes in their handling of 17-year-old LeBron Gaither in the hours and days leading up to his death in July 1996.

Gaither was killed on a drive between Nelson and Taylor counties while trying to execute a drug buy that would lead to an arrest. Troopers lost track of the car he was riding in.

The high court on Thursday ordered the Kentucky Board of Claims to pay $148,787 to the Gaither’s family. The award initially was $168,000 but a trial court overturned it and an appeals court agreed.

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