Charlie Humphries Dies After Incarceration in Smith County, Texas Jail

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office, in Tyler, Texas, filed a report regarding the death of apparent pre-trial detainee Charlie Humphries. Mr. Humphries was only 38 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The summary portion of the reports reads in its entirety:

“On March 23rd 2023 at approximately 2220 hours inmate Charlie Humphries was transported from the North Jail located at 2811 Public Rd Tyler, Texas to the Smith County Central Jail located at 206 E Elm Street in regards to chest pains. It was advised that inmate Humphries had fell down in N tank of the North Jail for unknown reasons and needed to seek medical attention. Upon arrival to the Central Jail inmate Humphries fell in the intake area and began having a seizure. A code blue medical emergency was called and medical personnel began providing inmate Humphries medical attention. CPR and the AED devices were deployed in attempt to restore normal vital signs and breathing. EMS were called to the scene and took over medical care from the Smith County Medical personnel, EMS attempted to restore inmate Humphries for approximately 30-35 minutes. During this time, inmate Humphries regained a pulse and was immediately transported to Christus Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler, Texas. Upon arrival to the hospital inmate Humphries lost vital signs and was advised by medical staff to have had a massive stroke. Hospital staff attempted to restore Humphries for a second time, but were unsuccessful. Inmate Humphries was later was pronounced deceased at 2348 hours. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7 Thereafter, Texas Ranger Chris Baggett was notified and arrived to investigate and process the scene at the jail. Justice of the peace James Meredith was dispatched to the hospital to conduct an inquest and later ordered the inmate to be transported by Light House Mortuary Service for an autopsy at Forensic Medical Management in Tyler, Texas.”

The report provides no additional information regarding any ongoing medical issues Mr. Humphries experienced, or why he needed to be transported from one facility to another to obtain medical treatment. The United States Constitution guarantees that pre-trial detainees in Texas jails receive reasonable medical care. If a person does not receive reasonable medical care, and dies as a result, then certain family members may be able to file a federal constitutional rights lawsuit. Our firm is handling a number of such cases across Texas.

Written By: Dean Malone

Dean Malone

Dean Malone is the founder of Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C., a jail neglect civil rights law firm. Mr. Malone earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA, and from Baylor University School of Law with a general civil litigation concentration. Mr. Malone served in several staff positions for the Baylor Law Review, including executive editor. Mr. Malone is an experienced trial lawyer, trying a number of cases to jury verdict and also handling arbitrations through final hearing. He heads the jail neglect section of his law firm, in which lawyers litigate cases involving serious injury and death resulting from jail neglect and abuse. Lawyers frequently refer cases to Mr. Malone due to his focus on this very complicated civil rights practice area.