Anne Elizabeth Murphy Dies After Being in Harris County, Texas Jail
The Harris County Sheriff’s Department, in Houston, Texas, filed a report regarding the death of Anne Elizabeth Murphy. Ms. Murphy was 53 years old at the time of her death. We provide in this post information obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.
The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:
“On December 1, 2021, while security rounds were being performed by a supervisor, inmates advised the decedent appeared to be in medical distress. Additional officers and medical staff arrived, transporting the decedent to the clinic with ongoing CPR. Life-saving measures continued until the arrival of Houston Fire Department paramedics. Paramedics assumed life-saving measures and transported the decedent to St Joseph Hospital. At 6:50 p.m., a medical doctor pronounced the decedent’s death.”
Oddly, in response to the standard questions in the report as to whether Ms. Murphy made suicidal statements, exhibited any mental health problems, and received any medical treatment, the Harris County Sheriff’s Department wrote, “Unknown.”
People in Texas county jails have the right to receive reasonable medical care. This right is provided by The United States Constitution. If jailers fail to provide that care, or if a county has a policy, practice, and or custom which results in such care not being provided, then liability could arise. If a person dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file claims in a federal lawsuit.
Dean Malone
Dean Malone