Castlee Noble Dies at Coryell County, Texas Jail
The Coryell County Sheriff’s Department, in Gatesville, Texas, filed a custodial death report with the State of Texas regarding the death of Castlee Noble. Mr. Noble was 55 years old at the time of his death. We make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone regarding Mr. Noble’s death but are instead simply providing information.
The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:
“On 08-24-2021, Inmate Noble, Castlee was moved to the detox cell for close medical observation. Inmate Noble had been refusing all of his medications for several days prior to his death. Medical had made the call to place Inmate Noble on medical observation for his well-being. Inmate Noble took his prescribed medication in the afternoon of 08-24-2021, the morning of, and the afternoon of 08-25-2021. At approximately 1812 hours, Inmate Noble was seated on the floor next to the toilet and fell asleep. During one of the checks, two jailers made entry into the cell and observed Inmate Noble sleeping. The observation continued until 0306 hours on 08-26-2021 when two jailers made entry into the cell and observed Inmate Noble to be unresponsive. At this time, Inmate Noble was laid on his back by the jailers and life saving measures (chest compressions) began. At approximately 0309 hours, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was notified. EMS arrived on scene at the jail at approximately 0323 hours. EMS personnel continued life saving measures with no success. At 0400 hours, Justice of The Peace J. Caldwell pronounced Inmate Noble, Castlee deceased. Justice of The Peace J. Caldwell ordered an autopsy to be performed for a cause of death. Texas Ranger Adam Russell was notified of the custodial death at 0434 hours. Ranger Russell arrived to the scene at 0605 hours to begin his investigation into the custodial death of Inmate Noble, Castlee. Once the scene was processed, Ranger Russell authorized the release of the body to the funeral home. Scott’s Funeral Home arrived and took custody of the deceased at 0712 hours.”
The report also indicates that Mr. Noble exhibited mental health problems. The report does not elaborate on the nature or extent of those problems. One wonders whether his purported refusal of medication related to any mental health issues.
The report also indicates that Mr. Noble was originally incarcerated on June 23, 2021. The report does not provide any information regarding any mental health treatment Mr. Noble may have received over the roughly two-month period before his death.
The United States Constitution guarantees the right of pre-trial detainees in Texas jails to receive reasonable mental health care, as well as reasonable medical care. If jails or a jailer refuse to provide such care, and a person dies as a result, then the county in which the jail is located and the jailers could be liable in a federal lawsuit. However, once again, we are not making any allegation of any wrongdoing with regard to Mr. Noble’s death.
Our Texas civil rights law firm has another case pending against Coryell County. It arises out of the death of Kelli Page. The case is currently on appeal, and we are awaiting a decision from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
Dean Malone
Dean Malone