Tribune-Review
UNIONTOWN, Pa. — Two Fayette County corrections officers who were assigned to monitor live surveillance-camera feeds of an inmate’s cell failed to notice as the man made two attempts to hang himself over at least 20 minutes before succeeding, according to county officials.
Surveillance footage of the inmate’s cell and of a room where the guards were to be viewing the live video feed will be shown to a coroner’s jury early next year to determine whether criminal charges are warranted, District Attorney Nancy Vernon said.
“The tape shows that there is a question as to whether or not a prison guard who was assigned to monitor the video actually monitored the video during the attempt and resultant death by a hanging in the prison,” Vernon said Tuesday. “We’ll have a coroner’s jury view the tape, as an aid to the prosecution in determining whether or not there is sufficient basis to prefer the charges of involuntary manslaughter.”
Cade William Stevens, 25, of 257 Lucky Lane, Dawson, was found 10:06 a.m. Sept. 12 hanging from a bedsheet in his cell. He was pronounced dead within the hour at Uniontown Hospital. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has deemed the death a suicide, but it is not releasing any other information pending results of an ongoing investigation, said Marisa Springer, deputy coroner.
Two unidentified prison guards have been suspended with pay in connection with the suicide. The Fayette County Prison Board might consider additional action this morning when it meets to review an internal county report on the suicide, said Dominick Carnicella, human resources director.
Vernon, Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky and Sheriff Gary Brownfield yesterday said the surveillance videos indicate Stevens made at least two unsuccessful attempts to hang himself over an extended period of time before succeeding. Brownfield said the video footage depicts Stevens actually placing his head in the makeshift noose twice, then removing it twice, before hanging himself.
Zapotosky said Stevens, who according to his family was struggling to overcome a heroin addiction, was in obvious distress for 20 to 30 minutes before his death.
“There was ample time during that roughly 20 minutes to a half hour to intervene,” Zapotosky said. “It was everything. Pacing. What looked like a couple of unsuccessful attempts. Frustration. Fear.”
Brownfield, who is chairman of the prison board, said it was “pretty obvious somebody did not do their job. Irregardless of what (inmates) have done, it’s our job to protect people.”
Zapotosky was visibly shaken shortly after viewing the videos a few days after Stevens’ death, but he declined at that time to discuss it. Officials yesterday agreed to comment on the videos after the Tribune-Review submitted a request for copies through the state’s Right to Know Act.
Citing the ongoing investigation, Vernon yesterday declined to release the videos.
Stevens had been in jail in lieu of $50,000 bond for less than 48 hours prior to his death on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault and theft. State police at Belle Vernon alleged he used a shotgun Sept. 10 to rob four golfers of $80 cash on the 15th hole of the Linden Hall golf course in Lower Tyrone.
While the county continues its investigation into Stevens’ suicide, other guards at the prison are credited with helping to save the life of another inmate who attempted suicide last Friday.
Brian Miller, deputy warden, said two inmates alerted guards after noticing the 34-year-old white male attempting to hang himself in an isolation cell. That cell, Miller said, is not equipped with video surveillance cameras and the inmate was not on suicide watch.
“The officers got in there, cut him down and CPR was started immediately,” Miller said. “The guards did an excellent job. It looks like he’s going to make a full recovery.”
The unidentified inmate was taken to Uniontown Hospital at 12:47 p.m., then flown to a Pittsburgh hospital. Miller said the inmate was expected back at the jail yesterday and would be transferred to Torrance State Hospital in Derry for further evaluation.
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