WOMAN DIES AFTER BEING IN PORT ISABEL POLICE DEPARTMENT JAIL –

The Port Isabel Police Department filed a custodial death report with the Attorney General of Texas regarding the death of Sharla Jean Williams.  Ms. Williams was only 48 years of age at the time of her death.  Information in this post was obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone regarding Ms. Williams’ death.

The report indicates that Ms. Williams was incarcerated at 6:30 p.m. on June 24, 2020.  The summary of what occurred reads as follows:

“On Thursday, June 25, 2020 at approximately 11:04 A.M., I was in the office when I then heard Laguna Vista Officer James Hernandez #881 say on the radio, “Call EMS, unresponsive female!” I then ran to the booking area and observed Officer Hernandez #881 standing by cell #3. I entered cell #3 and observed a female laying on the concrete bed, on her back with her left arm over her head. I immediately checked for a pulse but there was not one. Female subject, later identified as, Sharla Jean Williams was stiff and cold to the touch. At approximately 11:04 A.M., Port Isabel EMS arrived. Texas Rangers were contacted by Captain Jose Cadengo #202. Texas Rangers advised to secure the scene and for no one to go in there. Laguna Vista Chief Tony David and Commander Ricky Gonzalez arrived at approximately 11:17 P.M. Texas Ranger, Antonio “Tony” Rocha arrived at the scene at approximately 12:11 P.M and took over the investigation.”

The report also indicates that Ms. Williams did not make any suicidal statements and was apparently not receiving medical treatment.  The report also does not indicate whether Ms. Williams was being observed in accordance with Texas Commission on Jail Standards requirements, the cause of her death, or any details as to what led up to being found deceased.

Without regard to Ms. Williams, prisoners in Texas have a constitutional right to receive reasonable medical care.  When a pretrial detainee does not receive reasonable medical care, and jailers or others are deliberately indifferent to and/or act unreasonably regarding such medical needs, then they could be liable to the person, if the person does not pass away.  However, if the person passes away as a result, such jailers and others could be liable to certain surviving family members as a result of the death. 

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.