Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. in the News

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office has asked the Texas Attorney General to clarify whether the Sandra Bland Act’s requirement for independent investigations applies only to deaths that occur inside jail walls. The request comes after years of scrutiny over Tarrant County’s handling of in-custody deaths, many of which are listed as hospital deaths rather than jail deaths. Critics say the move could create a loophole allowing sheriffs to avoid oversight.

Dallas civil rights lawyer Dean Malone, who represents families in jail death lawsuits, called the request “an attempt to shirk responsibility” and warned that it could allow officials to escape accountability by transferring near-death detainees off jail property. Malone emphasized that every death in custody — regardless of where it occurs — deserves a thorough, independent investigation to ensure transparency and prevent further neglect in Texas jails.

Following years of noncompliance with state law, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards has begun appointing independent law enforcement agencies to investigate in-custody deaths, as required under the Sandra Bland Act. The commission’s first public list includes nine recent cases, marking what many view as a long-overdue step toward transparency.

Dallas attorney Dean Malone, who represents families in Texas jail death cases, called the change “a good start” but noted concerns about potential conflicts of interest in certain appointments. Malone emphasized that families deserve unbiased investigations conducted by agencies completely independent of the counties where the deaths occurred — a move essential to restoring public trust and accountability within Texas jails.

Travis County has reached a $1 million settlement in a lawsuit over the 2022 jail suicide of Jared “J.J.” Bell, who was taken into custody while experiencing psychosis and self-harm tendencies. Despite being placed on suicide watch, Bell was not under continuous supervision and died by suicide soon after his arrest.

The case was filed by attorney Dean Malone on behalf of Bell’s family, alleging the county failed to follow proper jail suicide prevention standards. The settlement marks another significant resolution in a series of Texas jail death cases, highlighting ongoing concerns about mental health care and supervision in custody.

Attorney Dean Malone criticized the Texas Commission on Jail Standards for not complying with the Sandra Bland Act, which requires independent investigations of in-custody deaths. He said the agency’s practice of allowing sheriffs to choose their own investigators undermines transparency and violates both the letter and spirit of the law.

Malone, who represents families in Texas jail death lawsuits, said the commission’s failure has led to “rubber-stamp” reviews instead of true investigations. He emphasized that families deserve unbiased accountability when a loved one dies in jail, not internal reports shaped by the same agencies responsible for those deaths.

The family of Vincent Leyva, a 42-year-old man who died in the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility in March 2023, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the county. Court records list Leyva’s cause of death as an esophageal rupture with acute mixed drug toxicity as a contributing factor.

According to the lawsuit, Leyva repeatedly complained of chest pain and breathing difficulties while in custody but was returned to his cell instead of being sent for emergency treatment. His health reportedly worsened until his death.

Attorney Dean Malone, representing the Leyva family, condemned the lack of medical intervention, stating, “There is no need for a man to die from a ruptured esophagus when there are skilled surgeons in El Paso who could have conducted necessary surgery.”

Malone said the case reflects a broader, troubling pattern of neglect and inadequate medical care for detainees in Texas jails — preventable tragedies that persist despite clear warning signs and available medical resources.

The Dallas County Jail passed its second Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspection of 2024 — a notable improvement after years of noncompliance. Sheriff Marian Brown praised the result as a reflection of staff accountability and progress within the department.

However, civil rights attorney Dean Malone, who has represented multiple families in jail death cases, urged caution in interpreting the findings. He explained that the commission can choose to mark a jail compliant even when serious issues are noted under “technical assistance.”

Malone highlighted that despite previous litigation over a water intoxication death, the jail has shown no clear policy changes to prevent similar tragedies. He confirmed his firm is litigating a second case and aware of a third death linked to water intoxication — a rare and troubling pattern across Texas jails.

Malone emphasized that these cases often involve detainees with severe mental illness who require close monitoring and medical care. While Dallas County has passed inspections, he said lasting accountability depends on implementing safeguards that protect vulnerable inmates from preventable harm.

An investigation by KERA and the Fort Worth Report revealed that the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office has failed to comply with the Sandra Bland Act, which requires independent investigations into all jail deaths.

Since 2021, the Sheriff’s Office has listed the Fort Worth Police Department as its outside investigator — but police confirmed they only reviewed the sheriff’s internal files instead of conducting independent investigations. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has since determined this practice violates state law.

Civil rights attorney Dean Malone, who represents multiple families in Texas jail death cases, called the situation “appalling.” He emphasized that sheriffs have no political incentive to expose problems within their own jails and warned that investigating deaths years later cannot provide meaningful accountability.

Malone also noted that Texas Rangers have historically handled such investigations and often uncover crucial evidence that allows families to seek justice for their loved ones. He urged the state to restore transparency and ensure future jail deaths receive truly independent reviews as required by law.

The family of Nathan Johns, 28, has filed a federal lawsuit against Smith County and its former jail medical provider, Turn Key Health, following his death by suicide inside the Smith County Jail in February 2024.

According to the lawsuit, Johns—who had recently been treated for mental health issues and suicidal behavior—was given access to a phone cord near his cell, which he used to hang himself through the food chute. The suit alleges that jail staff and medical providers failed to follow suicide prevention protocols and placed Johns in an environment that was “a recipe for disaster.”

Attorney Dean Malone, representing the Johns family, stated that allowing a suicidal detainee access to a ligature such as a phone cord violates all known jail standards. The family seeks damages in federal court, claiming negligence and constitutional violations under federal civil rights law.

The family of Michael Galvan, 43, has filed a federal lawsuit against Rockwall County and its medical contractor, Turn Key Health Clinics, following his death from an untreated head injury sustained in the county jail in September 2024.

According to the lawsuit, Galvan showed signs of serious head trauma — including falls and erratic behavior — yet jail staff failed to provide proper medical care or seek timely emergency assistance. The complaint alleges that staff delayed calling EMS until Galvan became unconscious, resulting in his preventable death.

Filed by civil rights attorney Dean Malone of the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C., the suit accuses the defendants of negligence and deliberate indifference to Galvan’s medical needs, seeking damages for violations of his constitutional rights.

A federal lawsuit has been filed against Smith County and its former jail healthcare provider, Turn Key Health, following the death of 24-year-old D’Vonte Valentine. The suit, filed by attorney Dean Malone of the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C., alleges that jail staff failed to provide Valentine with his prescribed steroid medication needed to manage a rare adrenal disorder, leading to his death just days after entering custody. The lawsuit seeks accountability for what it describes as preventable neglect resulting in a loss of life.