Corpus Christi Caller-Times
TEXAS — Nueces County commissioners voted Wednesday to enter into mediation with the family of a man who strangled himself in the Nueces County Jail in August 2008.
The decision means that a trial likely will be avoided and the county likely will pay a settlement.
Roberto Garcia was found not breathing in his cell on Aug. 28, 2008. He died three days later.
Garcias family had called sheriffs deputies saying they were concerned he was going to harm himself, according to the lawsuit, and made arrangements to have him admitted to a mental health facility. Instead, he was taken to jail. While there, Garcia attempted suicide but was intercepted. The next day, Garcia called his family with news that he had been taken to jail. The family went to a justice of the peace and obtained an order to transfer Garcia to a mental health facility on Aug. 27. He wasnt transferred, and the next day used jail restraints to strangle himself.
His family sued saying his death was preventable.
Two Nueces County correctional officers have been charged with tampering with jail records in the incident. Garcia had been placed on suicide watch at the time of his death, which means jailers were supposed to check on him every 15 minutes. Correctional Officers Lorenzo Forge and John Paul Martinez are accused of making false entries into the jail logs.
They have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial on the misdemeanor counts.
Sheriff Jim Kaelin said both men were terminated but have appealed that decision.
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