Probe approved in jail suicide
Members of the Fayette County Prison Board authorized the warden to take appropriate action against those who were on duty when an inmate hanged himself in the prison over the weekend. What the action might be wasn’t determined during Wednesday’s special meeting, called to discuss what would happen in the wake of the death of Cade W. Stevens, 25, of Dawson.
Stevens, according to state police, hanged himself in his cell at the prison.
Stevens was in prison, charged with robbing four golfers on the 15th hole at the Linden Hall golf course in Upper Tyrone Township
The motion, made by board member Judge John F. Wagner Jr., authorized Warden Larry Medlock to “take appropriate action, in consultation with human resources and with respect to our contractual obligations” against any guards who are in need of discipline.
The motion paves the way for a hearing with the warden, officers involved and the county human resources representative. Once that meeting occurs, the warden can take action, Wagner said.
The result of the action will be made public, and the prison board will vote on the matter at an upcoming meeting – as early as their Sept. 30 meeting.
“We can’t jump to the last step, we have to take things one step at a time,” Wagner said.
He noted that the board legally cannot act until certain steps, starting with this meeting, are taken.
Wagner assured Stevens’ family that action would occur “very promptly.”
Stevens’ parents, sister and wife attended the meeting, and his mother, Shannon Ferencz, told the board she wanted to make sure that the evidence in the case was preserved. She noted that there should be reports on his mental condition when he was brought into the prison, video of him in his cell, and video of the guard who was tasked with watching monitors that showed Stevens.
Board member District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon assured the family that police were conducting a thorough investigation and that the evidence was preserved.
She indicated that, after a meeting with Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip E. Reilly, they determined that an inquest would be the best way to proceed. That inquest is tentatively scheduled for late November, Vernon said.
Testimony from guards and other inmates can be offered, and there will be a panel of six jurors who will help determine cause and manner of Stevens’ death. The jury also can recommend additional investigation or charges if they believe they are warranted.
However, the recommendations of the jury are not binding on any authority or agency to which they are directed.
“We are not overlooking this. We’re taking it very seriously,” Vernon said.
Ferencz questioned the prison’s policy on suicide watch, and how often inmates are monitored.
County solicitor Joseph E. Ferens Jr. said that those sorts of things would be addressed during the police investigation.
Police said that Stevens was found hanging from cell bars early Saturday. He hanged himself using bed sheets, according to prison officials.
Stevens had been jailed since early Friday in the putting green holdup.