The Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office has settled a legal dispute over a Freedom of Informaton Act (FOIA) request from the family of a jail inmate who committed suicide.

Jesse Williams, an attorney representing the family of Alan Bradley Halloway, had filed a FOIA request seeking records surrounding Halloway's death. Halloway, who was behing held in Grand Traverse County Jail on charges that included attempted murder, hung himself in the jail on July 21.

Citing concerns over releasing records that could compromise the safety and physical security of the jail, the Sheriff's Office partially complied with Williams' request but denied the release of some records. Williams disagreed with the exemption and filed suit over the withheld records.

On April 11, the parties met for a court-ordered facilitative mediation. During the mediation, the parties agreed to a settlement, with the county agreeing to pay for Williams’ attorney fees. The settlement agreement also provides for the protected release of the records requested by Mr. Williams. The protective order requires Williams "to treat the released records as confidential and may only be reviewed by those individuals described in the protective order," according to the Sheriff's Office.