The Clark County corrections deputies who struggled with a jail inmate who later died remain at their jobs as the investigation into the death continues.
Mycheal Lynch, 32, died on March 22, two days after he was restrained by deputies who were trying to relocate him to another part of the jail. In April, the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Lynch’s death a homicide, which means the death was caused by the actions of another person.
Lynch was booked into the Clark County Jail on March 20 on suspicion of driving under the influence, reckless driving and hit-and-run of an unattended vehicle.
That evening, the Vancouver man was placed into the jail’s medical unit, which houses inmates who need to be isolated for medical reasons separate from mental health problems.
Two and a half hours after he was booked, Lynch initiated an alarm, prompting corrections deputies to respond to Lynch’s pod in the jail, according to the sheriff’s office. Lynch didn’t cooperate after corrections deputies determined he needed to be moved to another area of the jail, the sheriff’s office said.
After deputies restrained Lynch, he had a medical emergency, the sheriff’s office said. Lynch was hospitalized and died two days later.
How Lynch was restrained is part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.
The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that Lynch’s death was caused by brain damage due to lack of oxygen. The agency linked the death to two things: cardiac dysrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, during the struggle, and methamphetamine intoxication.
The employees who had direct contact with Lynch remain in their normal duties.
“From our initial review of the circumstances, we did not see the reason to put someone on administrative leave,” Chief Corrections Deputy Ric Bishop said.
Bishop said he couldn’t go into further detail or say anything else until the investigation by Vancouver police is completed.
Jack Green, one of the attorneys representing Lynch’s family, said that they’re still in the middle of gathering facts about what happened.
“This is the second homicide within three years in the jail due to restraint techniques and that’s two too many,” he said.
Marius C. Asanachescu, an inmate with bipolar disorder, was killed while being restrained by officers in the jail in February 2012. The death was ruled a homicide by asphyxia and no criminal charges were filed against the officers; prosecutors called it “an unfortunate, tragic accident.”
In Lynch’s case, Green said, there still remains many unanswered questions.
“Certainly the family and the public at large has a right to know what happened and what changes were made from the death of Mr. Asanachescu and the death of Mycheal Lynch. What changes if any?” he said. “The family just wants to know what happens so they can get closure and justice for Mycheal and to make sure it never happens again to anyone else.
