KITV4 News has learned that the state will pay the family of former Kalapana lead singer Mackey Feary $175,000 in a settlement related to his prison suicide.

Feary (pictured, right) hanged himself on Feb. 20, 1999, at Halawa prison after being sent back behind bars for violating a court order in connection with an attack on his wife in 1996. Feary's family sued the state six days after his death, claiming its negligence contributed to the singer's suicide.

Two days before his death, Feary asked a judge to reconsider Feary's prison term and send him to drug treatment instead. The judge refused.

Feary's family told KITV4 News that they would like the money to go to Feary's father and Feary's son, Sebastian, for his college education.

The settlement must be approved by the state Legislature.

Tuesday will be the second anniversary of Feary's death. A memorial by the Feary family and the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii is planned at the State Capitol.