Posted on 11/28/2006 6:00:47 AM PST by f zero
Death behind bars Harold Ledet Jr. was jailed Nov. 21. Five days later, he was dead. His family wonders how, why.
By KIM GILLILAND Record Staff Writer Tuesday, November 28, 2006
NEWTON - Harold James Ledet Jr. was awake in his jail cell shortly before 3:30 a.m., prompting a jailer to ask if he was OK.
Ten minutes later, he was no longer breathing.
A transcript of a 911 call made about 3:36 a.m. shows Ledet was unresponsive and not breathing before being taken from his cell to Catawba Valley Medical Center. He was later pronounced dead.
Ledet, 28, died five days after being jailed on charges of attempted armed robbery and conspiracy. His death sparked outrage from a grieving family and prompted an investigation by the National Action Network, a civil rights organization headed by the Rev. Al Sharpton. Family members met with sheriff’s officials before noon Monday. “This needs to be looked into,” said David Taylor, Ledet’s uncle. “We’ve come here for some answers, and we leave here with more questions.” He added, “This is not a death sentence when they (inmates) come here (to the jail).” Ledet did not die from a blow to the head or any other use of force, according to preliminary results from the autopsy. Officials await toxicology reports. Meanwhile, the Ledet family has requested a second autopsy. Suspicions about how the case was handled were raised at a news conference Monday outside the jail. “The doctors should have never released Ledet,” said John Barnett, state chairman of the NAN. “Why didn’t a doctor from the hospital follow up on his condition while he (Ledet) was incarcerated? How is it that a man with a broken leg dies in jail five days later?” Jailers at the Catawba County Detention Center are state certified, Lt. Roy Brown said Monday. A N.C. Department of Justice Web site lists certification requirements for jailers. The state requires 162 hours of training, including 10 hours for first aid and CPR training, and six hours of medical care instruction. “The training is similar to Basic Law Enforcement Training instruction, but geared toward detention officers,” Brown said. More answers are needed before the Ledet family is satisfied. “If he died from natural causes, let that be known,” Barnett said. “Still, he was a friend, a semi-pro football player, a father and an uncle. We will not let his death be in vain.”
"Harold James Ledet Jr. was awake in his jail cell shortly before 3:30 a.m., prompting a jailer to ask if he was OK."
BTW, does anybody know what this means?
How was it known that he was awake, and what would prompt a jailer to ask if he was OK? Was he yelling, gasping for breath, or what??
Blood clot?
It could be he was on suicide watch. They're supposed to check on you every 15 minutes when you're on suicide watch, if I'm not mistaken.
Yes, thanks, tuffydoodle. I can see it more clearly now. Lots of charges against him - what a CREEP!
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