Jail inmate dies after restraint
DA launches
investigation
May 6, 2006
WEST BOYLSTON— A 35-year-old inmate at the Worcester County House of
Correction died of cardiac arrest after being restrained by
correction officers, according to jail officials.
The death is being investigated by Worcester District Attorney John
J. Conte’s office, according to a spokesman for the state medical
examiner’s office.
Johnny Walker, of 2 Holland Road, Worcester, who was serving a
15-month sentence for assault and battery, died Tuesday at UMass
Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester, according
to Deputy Superintendent Jeffrey Turco.
Mr. Walker was hospitalized overnight Monday after complaining that
he had had a seizure. He was released the next day.
On Tuesday, Mr. Walker was acting “bizarrely” in his cell and was
banging his head against the wall, Mr. Turco said. Correction
officers shackled his arms and legs to a bed and placed a helmet
over his head, after a jail nurse said he had no medical condition
that would prevent him from being restrained, Mr. Turco said.
A nurse then checked the restraints to make sure they were medically
safe, he said.
Mr. Walker then apparently went into cardiac arrest. Officers tried
to resuscitate him using an electronic defibrillator, but were
unsuccessful, Mr. Turco said.
Mr. Turco said Mr. Walker was taken back to the hospital, where he
was pronounced dead at 10:20 p.m.
The chief medical examiner’s office determined that Mr. Walker died
of cardiac arrest and coronary disease, Mr. Turco said.
John Cronin, a spokesman for the medical examiner, said he could not
confirm that finding because the district attorney’s office is
involved.
Copyright 2005
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
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