David Brian Hamilton Dies in Parker County, Texas Jail

The Parker County Sheriff’s Office, in Weatherford, Texas, filed a custodial death report regarding the death of David Brian Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton was 46 years old at the time of his death. We provide in this post information from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

Mr. Hamilton allegedly died from suicide. The summary portion of the report read in its entirety:

The on duty security staff working on 2-4-2021 at approximately 2:24pm responded to cell M-13 where inmate Hamilton, David was seen in the restroom area of the cell with a blanket tied around his neck. Staff immediately entered the cell, untied the knot and began life saving measures, medical staff responded with AED and Oxygen, and EMS “911” was called. EMS arrived at the facility at approximately 2:50pm and relieved jail staff of all life saving measures. EMS departed the facility at approximately 2:56pm transporting inmate Hamilton to Medical City Weatherford Hospital. SCO Rackliff called in from the hospital at approximately 3:50pm stating the hospital was transferring inmate Hamilton via Life Flight to Medical City Plano. Updates to Follow. Update: Texas Ranger T. Bradford called at approximately 0810 on 2-9-2021 to notify Jail Administrator R. King that Mr. Hamilton passed away on 2-8-2021 and his body is at the Medical Examiners office in Collin County, Texas. Texas Ranger Bradford requested all documentation in this incident. Update: Medical Examiner Laroy from the Collin County Medical Examiners office (940-206-3260) called the facility on 2-9-2021 at approximately 0830am to notify Jail Administrator R. King of the death of Mr. Hamilton (Declared Brain Dead 2-8-2021 @ 7:33pm).The Medical Examiner stated that the family has not made a decision on organ donation and the body of Mr. Hamilton is still at Medical City Hospital Plano.

Our Texas law firm has unfortunately handled a number of jail wrongful death cases involving suicide. Suicide continues to be a problem in jails not only in Texas, but across the United States. Jailers must continuously observe inmates who are known to be suicidal, or are at a significant risk for suicide or self-harm.

If jailers fail to fulfill their constitutional duties, then they, and sometimes counties and cities in Texas, can be liable for a resulting death. Usually such lawsuits are brought by certain surviving family members, and they are filed in federal court pursuant to a federal statute.

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.