Wise County Jail Death: Raymond Harold Martinez
The Wise County Sheriff’s Office, in Decatur, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Raymond Harold Martinez. Mr. Martinez was 70 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.
The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:
“On 07-17-2023, Wise County Deputies were dispatched to Wise County Adult Probation for a warrant service on Raymond Harold Martinez. Martinez was taken into custody and transported to the Wise County Jail without incident. Martinez was booked into jail without incident. During the booking process Martinez denied needing medical attention.
On 07-18-2023, Martinez’s medication was provided to the Wise County Jail.
On 07-21-2023, Martinez was found to have thrown up and soiled himself during the night. Martinez was observed by jail staff to be alert and able to take his prescribed medications. Martinez was added to the “Sick Call” list for 07-25-2023, to visit with a Nurse Practitioner.
On 07-23-2023, Martinez was moved to Holding cell #4 due to health observations and concerns with Martinez falling. Martinez’s health concerns could be more closely monitored while he was housed in the holding cell.
On 07-24-2023, Martinez was observed by jail staff to be responsive and able to take his medications without difficulty. However, Martinez soiled himself later the same day. Martinez was able to shower himself but needed help undressing and dressing. Jail staff kept Martinez in Holding cell #4 out of concern he may not be able to care for himself.
On 07-25-2023, at approximately 0625 hours, Martinez did not get up for breakfast. Jail staff checked Martinez and found him laying with his eyes open but breathing heavily. Jail staff notified the on-duty medical officer who responded to evaluate Martinez. The medical officer noted Martinez had glassy eyes and responded to attempts to communicate with him with groaning noises. Martinez’s blood pressure was found to be low. Wise County EMS was requested. Upon EMS arrival Martinez was transported to the Wise Regional Hospital Emergency Room via ambulance.
A review of the “Well-Being” cell check logs indicate Martinez was checked 178 times in holding cell #4 between 07-24-2023, at 0703 hours, and 07-25-2023, at 0643hours when Martinez was transported to the hospital. None of the 178 well-being checks were over 30 minutes apart. Only four were found to be in excess of 20 minutes. Those well-being checks were conducted approximately 24 minutes, 21 minutes, 22 minutes, and 20 minutes between well-being checks.
Due to Martinez’s apparent health condition a P.R. bond was requested. Once the P.R. bond was granted, Martinez was released from custody.
Throughout the evening Martinez’s condition deteriorated and Martinez passed away.
On 07-26-2023, Sheriff Lane Akin and Jail Administrator Dan Armstrong notified Texas Ranger Travis Dendy of Martinez’s death. Ranger Dendy responded and investigated Martinez’s death.
Ranger Dendy indicated Martinez presented at the hospital with liver failure, hepatitis C, and a GI bleed. There were no signs of trauma or foul play observed.
At the time of this report, Ranger Dendy’s report of his investigation is not complete. However, the final death certificate documenting Martinez’s death indicated the manner of death was “Natural” and the cause of death was “CIRRHOSIS OF LIVER.””
The report also indicates that Mr. Martinez was arrested for a parole violation and exhibited medical problems.
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right of pre-trial detainees to receive reasonable medical care. If arresting officers and/or jailers fail to obtain care for a serious health issue, and a person dies as a result, then surviving family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our Texas jail neglect and abuse law firm is handling a number of such cases across Texas.
Dean Malone
Dean Malone