Bowie County Jail Prisoner Dies in Custody: Texas Rangers Investigate

The Bowie County, Texas sheriff’s office recently filed a custodial death report with Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas. Bowie County, as is true with all other cities and counties in Texas, must file a death report with the Texas Attorney General whenever a person dies in custody. Information in this post was obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone. The report referenced the death of Franklin Brooks Greathouse. Mr. Greathouse was 59 years of age when he died.

Mr. Greathouse was arrested at approximately 10:00 p.m. on March 10, 2019. The report indicates that, either during the incident leading to his death and/or at entry to the Bowie County jail, Mr. Greathouse appeared to be intoxicated. The report also indicates that he exhibited medical problems.

On March 11, 2019, the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office was notified about Mr. Greathouse’s death. Mr. Greathouse was found unresponsive in his cell. He had been arrested and booked into the Bowie County jail by the Texarkana, Texas police department for a warrant out of Miller County, Texas. Booking occurred at 9:45 p.m. on March 10, 2019.

The report indicates that jail staff knew that Mr. Greathouse was a chronic drinker and had numerous alcohol-related arrests. LaSalle Corrections, a private jail contractor, operates the Bowie County jail. LaSalle Corrections officers observed that Mr. Greathouse smelled of alcohol during his time within the Bowie County jail.

Mr. Greathouse complained that he had a seizure on March 11, 2019. The report indicates that Mr. Greathouse was able to walk to his own cell within F-Pod, and the person completing the custodial death report indicates that this dispelled his claim of having a seizure.

At approximately 7:00 p.m. on March 11, 2019, near shift change, Mr. Greathouse was found lying on the floor, unresponsive. Mr. Greathouse was treated using life-saving techniques, but he ultimately passed away.

It appears that the Texas Rangers will be conducting an investigation into Mr. Greathouse’s death. This is normal for most Texas county jail deaths. Texas Rangers typically investigate only for the occurrence of any alleged criminal offense. Texas Rangers do not determine whether a jail, its jailers, or any contract medical provider or private company running a jail committed constitutional violations.

Without commenting on Mr. Greathouse’s situation, generally, the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides protection to pre-trial detainees housed in Texas jails. That protection includes providing appropriate medical care and mental health care.

As to people who are intoxicated, whether as a result of ingesting drugs or alcohol, jails should have in place sufficient detoxification protocols or, if necessary, policies, practices, and/or customs which result in a prisoner being provided emergency medical care offsite. If a county, city, private contractor, jailer, or law enforcement officer fails to comply with the 14th Amendment to the United Stated Constitution, either may be held liable in federal court pursuant to claims filed through 42 § U.S.C. 1983.

These claims can be asserted by the person affected by any such constitutional violations. If the person is deceased, certain family members including parents, spouse, and children may be able to bring claims. Such a deceased person’s probate administrator may also assert claims on behalf of the deceased person’s heirs.

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