LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A mom of a Nevada state jail inmate who died whereas in custody will obtain a $4.6 million settlement, in response to her legal professional James Urrutia. The state agreed to pay the settlement, which is the biggest wrongful demise settlement within the state’s historical past, Urrutia mentioned.
Annette Walker filed a wrongful demise lawsuit towards the Nevada Division of Corrections, its administration, a number of correctional officers, and the Clark County Coroner’s workplace in April 2024.
Christian Walker, 44, was discovered unresponsive inside a cell at Excessive Desert State Jail on April 15, 2023. Officers used power towards Walker two days earlier than his demise, in response to information.
Christian Walker, 44, died at Excessive Desert State Jail on April 15. Officers used power towards Walker with batons lower than 48 hours earlier than he was discovered unresponsive. (KLAS)
Shortly after Walker’s demise, the 8 Information Now Investigators obtained leaked photographs of Walker’s bruised physique, along with data from involved sources about an alleged beating.
Annette Walker alleged her son was overwhelmed to demise by officers and that there was a cover-up surrounding his demise.
“He was found naked, beaten up, bloody, and alone in a prison cell inside the infirmary at High Desert State Prison,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit referred to the invention of witnesses, “whistleblowers,” and images, in addition to an knowledgeable opinion that differs from the conclusion made by the coroner’s workplace.
The Clark County Coroner decided that Walker died of pure causes. His explanation for demise was hypertensive heart problems, in response to the coroner’s report. Blunt power trauma was famous, however the accidents sustained weren’t thought of deadly and didn’t contribute to the reason for demise, Medical Examiner Stephanie Yagi wrote within the report.
Urrutia instructed the 8 Information Now Investigators that Walker had no historical past of coronary heart issues.
Dr. Larry Sims, a forensic pathologist working with the plaintiffs, disagreed with the coroner’s workplace findings and concluded that Walker died on account of mind swelling resulting from blunt head trauma, resulting from assault.
Sims known as for “a complete re-evaluation of the circumstances of death, autopsy and autopsy documentation, neuropathology consultation report, medical records, all pertinent radiographs and evaluation of all tissue slides.”
The 8 Information Now Investigators reached out to the Division of Corrections in regards to the settlement on Tuesday afternoon and are awaiting a response.
The 8 Information Now Investigators additionally reached out to the places of work of Governor Joe Lombardo, Legal professional Normal Aaron Ford, and Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar, as they’re the three elected officers within the state on the Board of Jail Commissioners, which is meant to supply oversight of Nevada’s jail system.
The Nevada Legal professional Normal’s workplace didn’t cost any officers concerned.
“The agreement resolves the state’s liability, while legal action against Clark County continues as the family pursues full accountability,” in response to a information launch from Urrutia’s regulation workplace.
Whereas the settlement was briefly talked about at a Board of Examiners assembly Tuesday, the board is predicted to formally approve the settlement subsequent month.
Walker first went to jail in 1999 and was serving a sentence of 28 years to life with parole for second-degree homicide, tried homicide, and two counts of use of a lethal weapon, in response to the division.
Inmates and workers instructed the 8 Information Now Investigators that Walker had develop into a mannequin inmate and was nearing the tip of his jail sentence, in response to the criticism. He was recognized to have been a mentor to different inmates and obtained quite a few certificates and an Affiliate’s Diploma.
To succeed in investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, e-mail [email protected]
