Family questions death of inmate
The brother-in-law of Terry William Johnson, an inmate who died in Fayette County Prison over the weekend, attended Wednesday’s meeting of the county prison board in an attempt to learn more about the death. Ron Adams said he and his family have been given conflicting information about how Johnson died. He said prison officials have said Johnson, 48, of Uniontown died of a heart attack, but that officials from the coroner’s office indicated he died of complications from a gastric bypass operation he had three years ago.
Adams said that the family also was told that he was checked on at 10:30 p.m. and was alive, but prison officials said he was found dead in his cell around 8:45 p.m. Saturday.
Warden Larry Medlock said that medical personnel told him that Johnson died of a heart attack, and he also indicated that as soon as he was made aware that Johnson had died, he immediately called Sheriff Gary D. Brownfield and District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon.
Brownfield and Vernon, both members of the prison board, indicated that they received calls from Medlock around 9 p.m. Vernon said she immediately asked county detective Lawrence Curry and the state police forensic services unit to respond to the prison.
“We take extra special care when we have a death in the prison,” Vernon said, noting that an in-depth investigation is conducted to ensure there is no foul play.
Vernon suggested a meeting with Johnson’s family, Medlock, Curry, police and the coroner’s office to clear up any misunderstandings. She also indicated she would talk to forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, who performed the autopsy on Johnson and would be able to say what caused his death.
Results of a toxicology test are pending.
Adams also questioned why his family was not notified of Johnson’s death until Sunday morning.
Medlock said that the coroner’s office handles such notifications.
Adams asked if there was video surveillance of Johnson’s cell. Medlock said that there is a camera that captures video of what is happening on that cellblock, but does not survey specific cells. Medlock also indicated that Johnson did not have a cellmate because the population was low, and that there were only five inmates on the block.
He said the closest inmate was two cells away from Johnson.
Johnson was arrested on Thursday for violating a protective order, and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Wendy Dennis.
Johnson’s bail was set at $1,000 and he had been in the county lockup since his arraignment.
Medlock said there are currently 209 men and 25 women in prison. The average population in January and February has been 6 percent lower than in the same months of 2006, he said.
“It would be nice if we could stay that way all year,” Medlock said.