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Category: Custodial Death

Rains County, Texas Jail Fails Inspection for the Fourth Year in a Row

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A notice of non-compliance was issued to Rains County Jail on January 31, 2025, and the Emory, Texas, jail is listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website with other jails currently in violation of minimum jail standards. This is the fourth year in a row that Rains County Jail has failed their annual jail inspection.

After the most recent jail inspection at Rains County Jail was completed, a jail inspection report was issued on January 28, 2025, with details about five areas of non-compliance.

Besides failing to schedule a quarterly fire hazard inspection of the facility, it was discovered that weekly tests of facility generators have not been conducted as mandated.

The other violations are types that can have direct and devastating impacts on individuals detained in Rains County Jail. The following is information provided by TCJS inspectors about these violations:

  • Medication administration records (MAR) fail to show that the distribution of medications is occurring in accordance with physicians’ written instructions and by an appropriate person designated by the sheriff/jail operator.
  • Rains County Jail failed to include all medical information. In particular, missing information includes specifics about prescription medication and known illness on the Texas Uniform Health Status Update form when a detainee was transferred to TDCJ.
  • There was no documentation to show that staff was provided with the required suicide prevention training in accordance with the facilities’ approved operational plan.

An Inmate Died After He Was Denied His Necessary Medication

Detainees in jails have virtually no control over what happens while they are incarcerated. Although they have a right to receive their medication and to be protected from self-harm, they are not in a position to take actions on their own behalf if they are deprived of fundamental rights such as these.

Tragically, inmates have been helpless to access medications that were provided to the jail facilities where they are being held. News stories usually tell such devastating tales about inmates who have died after being denied needed medication. The following is an example:

  • Fifty-four-year-old Dexter Barry repeatedly informed jail staff that he needed to take his anti-rejection medication every day to survive. Despite this, he was denied heart transplant medication while incarcerated in a Jacksonville, Florida jail. Mr. Barry died on November 23, 2022, shortly after being released from the jail. An autopsy ordered by the family revealed that he died of a cardiac arrest due to his body rejecting the organ. A specialist explained that restarting the essential medication will not reverse the damage done by missing earlier doses.

Experienced Legal Support for Jail Medical Neglect Cases

If you believe the passing of a family member in a Texas jail was the result of medical negligence, abuse, or jail neglect, securing experienced legal representation is essential. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. our dedication to advocating for families, particularly in cases involving wrongful deaths in custody, is tireless. Our legal team has extensive experience handling the complexities of these sensitive matters.

We offer free case evaluations and are available 24/7. Contact us anytime by phone, text, or our online form.

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smchugh

Micah Stout Dies after 27 Days in Collin County Jail

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Micah Gerron Stout was booked into Collin County Jail, which is known as the Collin County Detention Facility, on January 26, 2025. He died of unknown causes in the jail on February 21, 2025. Mr. Stout was only 45 years old.

There is nothing in the custodial death report (CDR) specifying Mr. Stout’s medical issues, but it was noted during intake that he exhibited that he had medical problems. The Collin County Sheriff’s Department filed the CDR on February 25, 2025. There is only the briefest summary about the details of his death, and it conveys the following:

Jail detention staff discovered that Mr. Stout was unresponsive in his bunk. Medical staff and emergency medical services (EMS) were notified immediately, and lifesaving measures were attempted. Mr. Stout was pronounced deceased at the Collin County Detention Facility, where he had been housed in a multiple-occupancy cell.

Autopsies of Jail Inmates Can Reveal Egregious Neglect and Abuse

It is not unusual for a jail to report that a detainee died of unknown causes. When autopsies are performed, the results are sometimes disturbing in the extreme. The following are several stories that have emerged about shocking jail deaths:

  • Memphis, Tennessee, jail inmate Ramon McGhee died on January 10, 2024, from dehydration and starvation while also being infested with insects. When Mr. McGhee arrived at a local hospital, he was covered with a massive amount of bed bugs and lice. He was only 42 years old. His death was ruled a homicide.
  • Mark Oswald died in August 2016 at age 63 after being in Pasadena City Jail in Pasadena, Texas. While Mr. Oswald was in custody, he fell and badly fractured his leg. Reportedly, the instant of the excruciating injury was captured on camera. Before being taken to a hospital, Mr. Oswald writhed and screamed in pain for hours and was allegedly totally ignored. Once at the hospital, his condition deteriorated rapidly with shock, internal bleeding, and, ultimately, irreversible organ failure. He died four days after suffering a leg fracture of a type that is rarely fatal.
  • Tarrant County Jail inmate Anthony Ray Johnson was 31 years old when he died on April 21, 2024, after being in Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth, Texas. Before his death, he was fighting detention officers during a check for contraband and was pepper-sprayed. Per the autopsy and the custodial death report filed by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department, Mr. Johnson’s medical cause of death was asphyxia (mechanical and chemical) and a significant contributing condition was methamphetamine use. His death was ruled a homicide.

Need Help with Jail Medical Neglect?

If you have lost a loved one and suspect jail medical neglect played a role, the Law Offices of Dean Malone is here to help. Pretrial detainees are entitled to proper medical care, and when jail officials fail to meet this obligation, they can be held accountable for their negligence.

Reach out to us anytime by phone, text, or through our online form—we’re available 24/7 to discuss your case.

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smchugh

Cherokee County, Texas Jail is Found Non-Compliant After an Inmate Suicide

Front of Jail Cell

During a recent jail inspection, Cherokee County Jail was found to be non-compliant with five minimum jail standards set by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). The Rusk, Texas jail is now listed on the TCJS website along with approximately 10 other county or city jails in Texas that also failed inspections—for some jails, multiple failed inspections are listed on the site. A notice of non-compliance was sent to Cherokee County Jail on February 12, 2025.

Records show that Cherokee County Jail failed at least three other jail inspections in the past five years. Those jail non-compliance reports were sent to Cherokee County in August 2024, April 2023, and October 2020.

Cherokee County Jail’s address is 272 Underwood St. in Rusk, Texas 75785. The bed capacity is 188.

A Custodial Death at Cherokee County Jail was Reviewed

The jail inspection report reflects that the review of an inmate’s death was part of the February 2025 inspection. TCJS inspectors provided the following information:

  • It was determined during a custodial death review of an inmate that the jail staff failed to conduct proper face-to-face observations of the inmate.

Supervision has been established as the number one deterrent to suicide, inmate-on-inmate violence, and other problems that tend to arise in custodial settings. A lack of supervision could suggest jail neglect, which can have tragic consequences.

Cherokee County Jail failed in compliance in several areas that could have placed inmates at risk, according to its latest non-compliance report:

  • Failure to show that medication is being distributed to detainees in accordance with physicians’ instructions.
  • A restraint log shows that the jail staff exceeded the mandated 15-minute observation checks by 4 to 12 minutes on each of the 19 checks conducted.

Was a Custodial Suicide the Death Referred to in Cherokee County Jail’s Latest Failed Jail Inspection?

It is possible that the December 2, 2024, death of a 29-year-old inmate was the one referred to in Cherokee County Jail’s latest non-compliance report. The young man was facing the types of charges that are known to place detainees at a heightened risk for suicide. The man had been incarcerated since July 30, 2021, per the CDR, and the following is indicated in the summary of how his death occurred:

  • On December 2, 2024, the inmate died from apparent strangulation by means of hanging. He had managed to make a rope in his cell, and he used the rope to hang himself from the showerhead. Jailers’ lifesaving efforts to revive the young man were unsuccessful.

Need Legal Help for Jail Negligence?

Research shows that nearly 70% of inmates in local U.S. jails with chronic health conditions are deprived of proper medical treatment—an alarming statistic. If you have lost a family member to neglect while they were incarcerated, it’s important to take action. The Law Offices of Dean Malone has extensive experience handling cases involving custodial deaths, including those caused by neglect and suicide.

We’re here to help 24/7. Contact us anytime for a free consultation by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

Matthew Barnett Dies in Nueces County Jail

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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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smchugh

Kimberly Phillips Dies After Incarceration in Tarrant County Jail

3d interior Jail
3d interior Jail

Fifty-six-year-old Kimberly A. Phillips was booked into Tarrant County Jail on January 25, 2025, and was then housed at Lon Evans Corrections Center. On February 15, 2025, in the jail infirmary, a nurse from John Peter Smith Hospital (JPS) referred Ms. Phillips to the Resource Provider to receive further evaluation, though no information about her symptoms was provided.

Ms. Phillips was transported by ambulance to JPS for a higher level of care. The staff at JPS reported that Ms. Phillips was refusing treatment. Dr. Melhart pronounced Ms. Phillips deceased at 4:29 AM on February 18, 2025, at the hospital. Her cause of death is unknown and pending the results of an autopsy.

A custodial death report (CDR) was filed by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department about Ms. Phillips on February 21, 2025. The report fails to provide any further clues about her medical condition. Upon entry, the intake officer indicated that she did not exhibit any mental or medical problems, appear intoxicated, or make suicidal statements.

The address of Tarrant County Jail is 100 N. Lamar St., Fort Worth, TX 76196. The Tarrant jail system’s bed capacity is 5,000. The Lon Evans Corrections Center where Kimberly Phillips was housed has a capacity of 444 beds for maximum security prisoners. The five-story facility is a 207,700-square-foot maximum-security jail at 600 W. Weatherford Street in Fort Worth.

Jail Inmates Frequently Die of Unknown Causes

Jails have a responsibility for the lives of individuals in their care. Yet, news reports across the United States frequently tell of inmates in county and municipal jails who have died of unknown causes. The following are several recent stories along those lines:

  • An inmate at Bibb County Law Enforcement Center in Macon, Georgia, collapsed and died on February 19, 2025. His cause of death is unknown.
  • It is believed that 38-year-old Ramel Powell is the first detainee death at Rikers Island this year. Mr. Powell was housed inside the Otis Bantum Correctional Facility and died of unknown causes at about 2:15 AM on February 19, 2025. Rikers Island is a jail complex in New York City. The city’s Department of Corrections Commissioner released a statement about the death being a tragic event and a full investigation being underway.
  • Forty-one-year-old Hugo Mota was an inmate in Harris County Jail in Houston Texas, in August 2024 when he died after suffering a medical emergency. His cause of death was unknown at the time, and an autopsy was ordered.

Legal Support for Custodial Deaths in County and City Jails

If you have lost a loved one who was incarcerated in a jail and you suspect that jail neglect or medical neglect was involved, it is crucial to seek experienced legal guidance. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we are dedicated to helping families affected by custodial deaths, including suicide deaths.

Our skilled legal team has considerable experience asserting inmate rights and holding jails accountable. Understanding the complexities involved with these types of legal cases, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and knowledgeable representation to pursue justice on your behalf.

We are available 24/7. For a free case evaluation, contact us anytime by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

Adrian Campbell Dies After Incarceration in Nueces County Jail

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Adrian Campbell was booked into Nueces County Jail on October 31, 2024. On February 13, 2025, the Nueces County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) showing that Ms. Campbell remained in the jail’s custody until her death on February 4, 2025. She was 57 years old and, according to information gleaned at intake, Ms. Campbell exhibited mental and medical problems.

The CDR indicates that no autopsy was planned. Ms. Campbell received medical treatment for the pre-existing medical condition that caused her death but died of natural causes–“organ failure while at hospital.”

The summary of how the death occurred provides the following details:

  • On January 16, 2025, jail staff evaluated Ms. Campbell for fluid overload in her lungs, and she was subsequently sent to Christus Spohn Hospital at 6:10 AM that morning. She continued to receive hospital care. Ms. Campbell’s condition worsened on February 4, 2025. Due to low oxygen levels, she was placed on a breathing machine. Hospital staff commenced chest compressions at 7:22 AM. On four occasions when a pulse was obtained, Ms. Campbell received chest compression treatment. Her pulse was stabilized at 7:55 AM.
  • At 8:30 AM on February 4, Nurse Celeste Giles indicated that Ms. Campbell was chemically paralyzed and she was being kept alive by the machines. Family members arrived at the hospital and agreed with medical staff to remove life support. Nurse Giles and Nurse Laura Briondes pronounced Ms. Campbell deceased at 1:30 PM.

Nueces County Jail is at 901 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401. The bed capacity is 1,068.

What Constitutes Medical Neglect?

Families often suspect that their loved one who died in a jail had been denied proper medical care. For example, in February 14, 2025, news, a story out of Birmingham, Alabama, asserts that rigor mortis had set up in an inmate by the time she was discovered. Muscle stiffening, or rigor mortis, usually begins with an hour or two after death. If the medical staff and jailers denied the woman emergency medical treatment, there is a question of whether her death may have been prevented. The delay suggested by rigor mortis suggests that if help had been provided at an earlier time, there is a possibility she may have survived.

The following are among examples of jail medical neglect:

  • Medication is not administered as ordered by a doctor
  • Cries for medical care are ignored or help is delayed
  • Refusing to provide mental health treatment
  • Failing to provide access to a physician’s care
  • Accusing detainees of faking symptoms rather than providing medical care

Have You Suffered from Neglect in a Jail?

Jail officials have a duty to ensure the well-being of those in their care. If you suspect that negligence, including jail neglect, played a role in a loved one’s custodial death, the Law Offices of Dean Malone may be able to assist you. Our firm is dedicated to handling jail death cases with care and the strength of our experience.

You can reach us 24/7 via phone, text, or our online form. Contact us today for a free consultation.

 

 

 

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smchugh

Washington State Jail Inmate Richard Lambert Dies From Sepsis

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Richard Lambert was booked into Grant County Jail in Ephrata, Washington, on December 27, 2024. He was pronounced deceased inside the jail on December 31, 2024. Although his cause of death was unknown at that time, the autopsy results revealed that 31-year-old Richard Lambert died from sepsis due to an infection of the abdomen.

The address of Grant County Jail is 35 C Street Northwest PO Box 37, Ephrata, WA, 98823.

Medical Neglect is Often Implicated When Jail Inmates Die from Sepsis

Sepsis is a severe response to infection, and it can lead to organ failure and death. When sepsis develops from an infection, the risk of death increases by between 4% and 9% for every hour that treatment is delayed. If treated in time, sepsis deaths can be prevented 80% of the time. Sepsis isn’t necessarily easy to diagnose because it has symptoms similar to other serious conditions. However, when an individual who is incarcerated in a U.S. jail is at risk of developing sepsis, the jail is responsible for monitoring that person’s condition and taking lifesaving actions. To prevent sepsis,  all that is primarily needed in most cases is for antibiotics to be administered promptly.

When Death Certificates Tell the Tragic Tale

Tony Mitchell was 33 years old when he died on January 26, 2023, after incarceration in Walker County Jail. Mr. Mitchell’s death was caused by hypothermia and sepsis from medical neglect, according to his death certificate. The address of Walker County Jail where Mr. Mitchell was incarcerated is 2001 2nd Ave, Jasper, AL 35501.

Terral Ellis died after time as an inmate in Ottawa County Jail in West Olive, Michigan. He was 26 years old when he was pronounced deceased. Mr. Ellis’ death certificate revealed that sepsis and pneumonia are the medical conditions he died from. The coroner listed his death as a homicide. The address of Ottawa County Jail is 12130 Fillmore St, West Olive, MI 49460.

Whitney Brooks, aged 34, became very ill while she was an inmate in the Cleveland County Detention Center in Shelby, North Carolina. She was pronounced deceased on January 3, 2023. Her death certificate shows that sepsis was her cause of death. Cleveland County Detention Center’s address is 407 McBrayer Street Shelby NC, 28151.

In another tragic case, 40-year-old Amber Owens was an inmate in Oklahoma County Jail when she died in April 2023. According to the medical examiner’s report, sepsis was her probable cause of death. The Oklahoma County Detention Center is at 201 N Shartel Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

How Can Jails Prevent Sepsis Deaths?

If current rules of jail operations are not sufficient to cover training that will help prevent incidents of death by sepsis, change is needed. The types of actions that can be taken by jails to avoid sepsis deaths include the following:

  • Establish infection control protocols
  • Train jail staff to identify signs of septic shock
  • Conduct health screening of inmates before admission
  • Administer antibiotics for certain infections

When inmates have infections, prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Jail training should include familiarity with health conditions that are linked to sepsis-associated deaths. Factors that can contribute to sepsis deaths in jail include inadequate medical care, which can lead to missed diagnoses and worsening pain.

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smchugh

Jail Death Lawyer: Harris County Inmate Kristopher McGregor Dies Suddenly

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3d interior Jail

Kristopher Jarrel McGregor was 39 years old when he went through Harris County Jail intake on January 2, 2025. The Harris County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. McGregor on February 4, 2025. The summary of how the death occurred is merely 39 words long. It reveals that Mr. McGregor was transported to the jail clinic with shallow breathing and subsequently transferred to an outside hospital for a higher level of care on January 29, 2025. He was pronounced deceased by a medical doctor on January 30, 2025. Mr. McGregor’s cause of death is unknown and pending the results of an autopsy.

The address of the Harris County Jail facility where Mr. McGregor was housed is 1200 Baker Street in Houston, Texas 77002. The inmate capacity of the Harris County jail system is 9,575.

When Water or the Lack of It Is Lethal in Texas Jails

Suicide prevention training is required for all jail employees, which is a good thing. Suicide causes more jail deaths than anything else, and the jail employees who interact with inmates daily have the best opportunity to prevent these tragedies. Whatever may be addressed in suicide training, it seems clear that no one is focused on the fact that inmates are too often dying of water-related deaths, whether intentional or not.

Texas Jail Inmates Have Been Dying of Thirst

Water is a basic necessity of life, and autopsies have revealed that inmates in Texas jails have been dying of thirst. In 2024 news, it is alleged that three mentally ill inmates have recently died due to dehydration aka severe hypernatremia in Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth, Texas. A deputy at the jail gave testimony related to the deaths, saying that water is available 24/7 and “so it’s not a concern as long as we provide water to them.”

Other testimony revealed that recognizing signs of dehydration or monitoring the water consumption of mentally handicapped inmates are not areas in which jail staff receive training.

Water Intoxication in Jail Death Cases

Water intoxication is overhydration. Excessive water consumption can lead to death, though it is rare—unless you are talking about the jail system. Several deaths in Texas jails have been caused by water intoxication in recent years. These are preventable deaths, and it is inexcusable that they are occurring. If nothing in the rules of operation for jails specifically covers the protection of inmates from water intoxication, change is needed.

Sadly, individuals who die of water intoxication in jails typically have mental health issues. Jails have a duty to protect inmates from self-harm, including overhydration.

Seeking Justice for Jail Deaths Caused by Neglect

No one loses their fundamental rights simply because they are incarcerated. If you suspect that a loved one died in a Texas jail due to neglect or mistreatment, it’s essential to take swift action. The Law Offices of Dean Malone are here to help. We have ongoing experience with water intoxication deaths in Texas jails. Our experienced legal team is dedicated to fighting for justice and ensuring accountability in cases involving jail deaths, including custodial suicides and deaths caused by overhydration or dehydration.

You can contact us anytime—day or night—by phone, text, or through our online form. We are available 24/7 and committed to protecting the rights of inmates and their families.

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smchugh

Blanco County Jail Violates a Restraint-Related Rule

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

A notice of non-compliance was issued to Blanco County Jail on January 9, 2025, after failing a jail inspection the previous day. In addition, the Johnson City, Texas, jail is currently listed on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website with other detention centers that violated one or more minimum jail standards. Blanco County Jail was cited for violating one rule, and it is one which governs the use of restraints. TCJS inspectors wrote the following details about their findings:

  • While conducting an inspection at Blanco County Jail, it was discovered in restraint logs that staff exceeded the 15-minute observation requirement.

The address of Blanco County Jail is 105 North Avenue G, Johnson City, Texas 78636. The Blanco County Jail is a high-security county jail with a bed capacity of 56.

Restraint Violations in Jails Endanger Inmates

The rules guiding the use of restraints cover all forms of restraint, from hand cuffs to restraint chairs. Several high-profile custodial deaths in recent years have brought widespread awareness of the potential dangers of restraints. Failing to make observations of inmates in restraints can make the difference between life and death. This is especially true about restraint chairs. Due to custodial deaths and patterns of abuse associated with restraint chairs, they are highly controversial. Many jurisdictions in the U.S. outside of Texas have banned their use.

A Restraint Chair Death

A woman in a Johnson City, Tennessee, jail died after being placed in a restraint chair. She was three times over the legal limit of alcohol when she was strapped into the chair. In accordance with jail policy, she had been classified as a suicide risk. Stringent observation was clearly essential, and the requirement was to observe her every 15 minutes at most.

Ninety minutes after the inmate was placed in the chair, a crisis response worker discovered that she was unconscious. The woman had slipped down in the chair, which caused the restraining straps to tighten around her throat, cutting off her air supply.

She was transported to a local hospital, and she remained there in a comatose state until her death 12 days later. Results of an autopsy showed that brain damage was the cause of death, and it resulted from a failure to get the needed oxygen supply to the brain. Also, placement in the restraint chair was deemed a proximate cause of her death.

Records showed that officers did not physically check her restraints when making 15-minute observations. Instead, they observed the detainee through a small window no more than four times. The last visual check occurred after a 25-minute duration.

Experienced Legal Advocacy for Jail Neglect Cases in Texas

If you or a loved one has experienced neglect in a Texas jail, securing skilled legal representation is essential. The Law Offices of Dean Malone is dedicated to assisting families who have lost loved ones in custody due to potential neglect, abuse, or suicide. We also encourage former inmates who have suffered serious injuries from mistreatment or inadequate care to reach out for legal guidance.

We can be reached 24/7. Contact us today for a free consultation by phone, text, or through our online form.

 

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smchugh

El Paso County Jail Inmate Joe Murvin Dies Suddenly

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Joe Murvin was booked into El Paso County Jail on October 25, 2024. He was found unconscious and not breathing in his single-occupancy cell at 8:27 PM on January 23, 2025. Tragically, lifesaving efforts at the jail and Las Palmas Medical Center were unsuccessful. The emergency department physician pronounced Mr. Murvin deceased at 9:20 PM the same day, which was his 72nd birthday. His cause of death is currently unknown and awaiting the results of an autopsy.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Murvin the day after his death. The CDR indicates that, during intake, Mr. Murvin made suicidal statements. He also exhibited mental health problems and medical problems—all of which are indicators that Mr. Murvin was at a potential risk of a suicide attempt.

The address of El Paso County Detention Facility aka El Paso County Jail is 601 E Overland Ave, El Paso, TX 79901. The El Paso jail system’s inmate capacity in Texas is 2,800. However, the housing capacity is 1,000 at the downtown detention facility where Joe Murvin was housed when he was found non-responsive.

An Inmate at El Paso County Jail Dies of Acute Para -Fluorofentanyl Toxicity

A 49-year-old man was booked into El Paso County Jail on May 5, 2024. He was housed in a multiple-occupancy cell. Eighteen days after his arrival, he, like Joe Murvin, was discovered “unconscious and not breathing.” Same as Mr. Murvin, lifesaving measures were unsuccessful, even after the man was transported to Las Palmas Medical Center. Autopsy results revealed that the man’s cause of death was “acute para-fluorofentanyl toxicity.”

What is Acute Para -Fluorofentanyl Toxicity?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published information about an increase in fentanyl-related deaths involving para-fluorofentanyl (pFF) or metonitazene. pFF is a drug with a high abuse risk, known as a Schedule I substance. In the 1960s, it was first synthesized
for research purposes. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and, alarmingly, para-fluorofentanyl is more potent than fentanyl.

pFF has recently reemerged in the illicit drug market. It has been detected in counterfeit pills and heroin packets. Multiple overdose deaths across the nation have been linked to this dangerous drug. With this deadly drug and others, like fentanyl, jails have a grave responsibility to ensure that jail inmates are protected from contraband being smuggled in.

Get Help with Jail Medical Neglect and Inmate Suicide Cases

If you or a loved one has suffered due to neglect or abuse in a jail setting, it is essential to consult with knowledgeable legal professionals. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we advocate for individuals and families impacted by jail neglect, inmate abuse, and custodial deaths, including those caused by inadequate medical care.

Our experienced team is committed to asserting the rights of inmates and holding correctional facilities accountable. With an ever-deepening understanding of the legal and emotional challenges these cases present, we provide compassionate and effective representation tailored to your needs.

We are here to help 24/7 and offer a free case evaluation. Contact us anytime via phone, text, or our online form to discuss your legal options.

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smchugh
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