Jason Barr Dies on Day 9 in Smith County Jail
Forty-four-year-old Jason Evan Barr was booked into Smith County Jail on November 4, 2024. Tragically, Mr. Barr died on November 12, 2024. A custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Barr was filed by the Smith County Sheriff’s Department a week later. The CDR reveals very little about what may have been the cause of Mr. Barr’s death. Results of an autopsy are awaited, but it is believed that he died of natural causes due to a pre-existing medical condition.
The summary of how Mr. Barr’s death occurred indicates that at 12:59 PM on the day of his death, he was already in the med dorm when he was discovered nonresponsive. Lifesaving measures in the multiple-occupancy cell included the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), and Mr. Barr was transported by ambulance to Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas. Mr. Barr lost his pulse at the hospital, and he was pronounced deceased at 1:44 PM.
Smith County Jail is at 104 S. Spring St, Tyler, TX 75702. The inmate capacity is 1,065.
A Smith County Jail Inmate Dies of Drug Intoxication
On June 28, 2024, a 32-year-old woman died after four days of incarceration at Smith County Jail in Tyler, Texas. The CDR about her tragic death indicates that it may have been a “withdrawal death.” Opioids and alcohol are among the drugs with potentially fatal withdrawal when developing symptoms aren’t treated.
A report about managing substance withdrawal in jails was prepared by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The report shows several instances in which jail inmates in withdrawal lacked appropriate treatment, resulting in their deaths. The report showed that, in one instance, an inmate died of a severe electrolyte imbalance caused by opiate withdrawal while in a jail’s custody, and the jail was held accountable. Details on other cases follow:
- In a county jail in Utah, a woman who exhibited profound physical distress for days pled for medical attention, but it was denied. She died on the fourth day, and the jail was found to have acted upon the unacceptable practice of ignoring inmates undergoing drug withdrawal.
- In a Georgia county jail, a woman died 2.5 days after going through intake. She had exhibited symptoms consistent with acute benzodiazepine withdrawal, but no medical treatment was provided. She was also denied prescribed medications, including oxycodone.
Seeking Justice for a Death Resulting from Jail Negligence?
Incarceration does not erase an individual’s fundamental civil rights. If you believe your loved one passed away in a county jail in Texas due to medical neglect, it is crucial to act quickly. Contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone without delay. Our experienced team focuses on cases involving custodial deaths, holding jails accountable, and fighting for justice on behalf of inmates and their grieving families.
We also represent former inmates who suffer from severe and life-altering injuries caused by abuse or jail neglect during their incarceration. Contact us 24/7 by phone, text, or through our online form.
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