Matthew Barnett Dies in Nueces County Jail
Thirty-eight-year-old Matthew Barnett was booked into Nueces County Jail on October 15, 2024. Tragically, he never returned to his family. Mr. Barnett was pronounced deceased on February 12, 2025. The custodial death report (CDR) that the Nueces County Sheriff’s Department filed about him this week on February 24 provides details about care he purportedly received during his incarceration. The intake officer noted that he exhibited mental health and medical problems. The jail acknowledges that Mr. Barnett had a pre-existing medical condition of upper gastric bleeding. It is indicated at the end of the summary of how his death occurred that, in jail, he was prescribed 13 different medications for his medical condition before he passed away.
On the day of Mr. Barnett’s death, per the CDR, Unit Officer Anthony Gisi was making his cell checks and found him vomiting blood in 2P multiple-occupancy cell# 8. Emergency medical services (EMS) transported Mr. Barnett to Christus Spohn Hospital at approximately 5:28 PM. He had been conscious when he was placed in the ambulance at the jail facility, but he flatlined at the hospital at about 6:45 PM. Life-reviving procedures were unsuccessful and Dr. P. Damboise declared Mr. Barnett deceased at 7:22 PM.
The address of Nueces County Jail is 901 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. The bed capacity of the Nueces County jail system is 1,020.
Can Jails Be Held Responsible for Preventable Deaths?
Jail officials across the U.S., including sheriffs and administrators, are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of detainees in county and municipal facilities While some inmate deaths may seem to have occurred due to a preexisting medical condition, these and other deaths may have been preventable. When jail staff ignore an inmate’s medical distress or fail to follow protocols such as the distribution of medications according to doctors’ instructions, their negligence could contribute to a tragically premature loss of life. In such situations, the family of the deceased may have legal grounds to seek justice for their loved one’s wrongful death. The following is from a related news story:
- When 41-year-old Lucas Bellamy was booked into Hennepin County Jail in Minnesota, he informed the jail staff that he had swallowed a bag of drugs. Although he was taken to an emergency room at a nearby hospital initially, he was sent back to the jail after several hours. Video evidence shows that he suffered great pain and his health became increasingly worse, but he was not returned to the hospital for treatment. The result of an autopsy shows that Mr. Bellamy ultimately died from an infection caused by a hole in his small intestine. Such infections are easily treated when proper medical care is provided.
Fighting for Justice in Jail Deaths Caused by Neglect
Being incarcerated should never mean forfeiting basic rights. If you suspect that a loved one died in a Texas jail due to neglect or mistreatment, taking swift action is essential. The Law Offices of Dean Malone is here to help. Our firm is committed to seeking justice for families affected by custodial deaths, backed by a legal team with extensive experience in these complex cases.
Our team is available 24/7—contact us anytime by phone, text, or through our online form for a free case evaluation.
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