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.