Suicide in Williamson County, Texas Jail in Georgetown – Reported to Attorney General

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Department recently filed a custodial death report with the Attorney General regarding the death of Patrick Paul Dupre. Mr. Dupre was only 37 years old at the time of his death. Information in this post was obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

Mr. Dupre was initially incarcerated in the Williamson County, Texas jail on May 6, 2019. If the jail complied with what is required by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, a physical/mental health intake form would have been completed.

On May 12, 2019, a jailer was conducting his rounds and watches. He observed Mr. Dupre hanging from the bunk handle in his cell with a sheet wrapped around his neck. The jailer called for medical assistance via his handheld radio. Mr. Dupre was unresponsive. Mr. Dupre subsequently received medical care and was transported to an area hospital. The report indicates that Mr. Dupre passed away on June 1, 2019.

The report indicates that, at some time during the incident and/or entry into the jail, Mr. Dupre appeared intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. The report also indicates that Mr. Dupre did not exhibit any mental health problems, did not make suicidal statements, and did not exhibit any medical problems.

We are uncertain as to any more details regarding any interaction between Mr. Dupre and jailers or intake personnel. However, as a general matter, and not necessarily applicable to Mr. Dupre’s situation, the United States Constitution guarantees rights to pre-trial detainees in Texas county jails. Those rights include the right to be protected from suicidal tendencies. If jailers are deliberately indifferent to known to suicidal tendencies and/or the likelihood of suicide, they can potentially be liable pursuant to a federal statue for violating the United States Constitution. Once again, we make no allegation regarding anyone acting incorrectly with Mr. Dupre.

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.