By C1 Staff
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — An inmate’s death ruled the result of asthma caused by noxious chemicals sprayed by correctional officers is getting a second look, nearly five years later.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Rommell Johnson, a Florida inmate with chronic asthma, had trouble breathing on June 3, 2010. He received treatment for severe breathing problems from a day-shift nurse, but was dead five hours later.
An inspector general and a medical examiner ruled the death accidental.
But his death bore a striking similarity to that of Randall Jordan-Aparo, who also died at another Florida prison after being repeatedly sprayed with the same chemicals.
Both suffered from chronic breathing ailments, and both were in solitary confinement when accused of creating disturbances. The same lead inspector oversaw both investigations.
Johnson’s death was quietly forgotten while Jordan-Aparo’s death opened a floodgate of inquiry.
Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones said she intends to have Johnson’s case reviewed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is now probing about 100 unresolved prison deaths.
Inspectors sued the DOC after stumbling upon the alleged cover-up of Jordan-Aparo’s death while investigating reports of corruption at the Franklin Correctional Institution. They claimed they were retaliated against for raising questions about Jordan-Aparo’s death.
A judge dismissed the suit last month, but the inspectors’ lawyer says he intends to appeal. Three of the officers involved in Jordan-Aparo’s death were fired; the case is the subject of state and federal investigations.