Current:Home > ScamsManslaughter charges thrown out in Michigan prisoner’s death -Aspire Financial Strategies
Manslaughter charges thrown out in Michigan prisoner’s death
View
Date:2025-04-15 17:46:41
MUNISING, Mich. (AP) — A judge dismissed charges Monday against six people in the death of a Michigan prisoner who lost 50 pounds over two weeks and died of dehydration while being restrained in 2019.
There was evidence of a lack of proper care for Jonathan Lancaster but not enough to send two former prison officials and four nurses to trial for involuntary manslaughter, Alger County Judge Charles Nebel said.
Lancaster’s life already was in peril when he was moved to an observation cell at the Alger prison and died three days later, the judge said.
“This is not the end for us,” Lancaster’s sister, Danielle Dunn, said. “We will fight for an appeal and continue to advocate for other families like ours as well as current incarcerated citizens.”
Lancaster, 38, was in prison for robbery and gun crimes in the Detroit area. He had a history of mental illness and showed symptoms while at Alger, including paranoia, anxiety, loss of appetite and insomnia, his family said.
Nebel said Department of Corrections policies at the time may have contributed to a “perfect storm” and Lancaster’s death, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Charges were dismissed against the nurses and Scott Sprader and Benny Mercier, who were high-ranking prison officials. Different charges are pending against two corrections officers.
Six people were fired and several more were disciplined after Lancaster’s death. The Corrections Department referred the case to state police for investigation.
Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office is “evaluating its next steps,” spokesman Danny Wimmer said Monday.
Prosecutors could try to persuade a circuit court judge to overturn the decision.
Separately, Lancaster’s family reached a $2.6 million settlement in 2021 after suing prison health staff and private contractors.
veryGood! (5326)
Related
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- New Massachusetts law bars circuses from using elephants, lions, giraffes and other animals
- Nick Jonas Is Shook After Daughter Malti Marie Learns This Phrase
- Prosecutors won’t charge officers who killed armed student outside Wisconsin school
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Horoscopes Today, August 12, 2024
- 'QUEEEEEN': Raygun of Olympics breakdancing fame spotted busting moves, gains fan in Adele
- Federal officials investigating natural gas explosion in Maryland that killed 2
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Fans go off on Grayson Allen's NBA 2K25 rating
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Why Are the Starliner Astronauts Still in Space: All the Details on a Mission Gone Awry
- I’m an Expert SKIMS Shopper and I Predict These Styles Will Sell out This Month
- British energy giant reports violating toxic pollutant limits at Louisiana wood pellet facilities
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Body of missing woman recovered at Grand Canyon marks 3rd park death in 1 week
- Warts can be stubborn to treat. Here's how to get rid of them.
- The New York Times says it will stop endorsing candidates in New York elections
Recommendation
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's Baby Boy Riot Rose Makes Rare Appearance in Cute Video
Why Are the Starliner Astronauts Still in Space: All the Details on a Mission Gone Awry
Paris put on magnificent Olympic Games that will be hard to top
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Charli XCX and The 1975's George Daniel Pack on the PDA During Rare Outing
Texas launches new investigation into Houston’s power utility following deadly outages after Beryl
US wholesale inflation cooled in July in sign that price pressures are continuing to ease