Chauncey Elmer Toombs Dies After Incarceration in Kaufman County Jail – Texas Rangers Investigation Likely
The Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department, in Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Chauncey Elmer Toombs. Mr. Toombs was 51 years old at the time of his 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:
“Male inmate found unresponsive with gauze around neck hanging from handicap assistance bar. Staff began life saving measures immediately. EMS was contacted and responded. Male was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 8:39 pm on 4/13/2022. Notified chain of command, male transported to Medical Examiner for autopsy. Texas Rangers notified and have initiated an investigation.”
The report indicates “Date/Time of Custody or Incident: 4/12/2022 AM.” The report also indicates “Entry Date Time: 4/13/2022 5:50 PM.” The “entry” time should indicate when Mr. Toombs was originally incarcerated in the Kaufman County jail. Obviously, there is something wrong with the listed times and dates.
The report also indicates: “Make suicidal statements?: Yes.” Thus, Mr. Toombs apparently expressed suicidal intent. If Mr. Toombs was suicidal, there would have been no excuse to leave him in a cell, with things with which he could form a ligature, and without continuous observation. Prisoners in Texas jails use clothing, sheets, mattresses, phone cords, and similar items as ligatures to commit suicide. This is well-known by jailers, jail administrators, and sheriffs.
Our law firm is handling a number of jail suicide cases across Texas, yet we are continually surprised to see suicides when jail personnel are aware of suicidal tendencies. Suicidal inmates need continuous observation, and they should never be left in a cell with items with which they can form ligatures.
Texas jailers and other jail personnel have constitutional duties to protect arrestees from self-harm tendencies. These duties usually arise under the 14th Amendment. If they fail to fulfull their duties, and an inmate dies as a result, then members of the inmate’s family might be able to bring a federal civil rights lawsuit. It is also likely, based on our experience, that the Texas Rangers will likely conduct an investigation regarding any potential criminal conduct related to Mr. Toombs’ death.
Dean Malone
Dean Malone