AN UNNECESSARY SUICIDE AT THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY JAIL
An Unnecessary Suicide at the Charlotte County Jail
Judgement demanded against William G. Prummell, in his official capacity as Sheriff of Charlotte County.
1. This is a wrongful death action for negligence, with damages in excess of $25,000.00 exclusive of attorneys’ fees, interest and costs, against Defendants.
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16. While Mr. Akers was being admitted into the jail, he fully informed the people to whom he spoke, including the Corrections Officers and the Corizon Staff, of his medical and mental health history and that he had at all times material prior to his incarceration been taking the aforementioned prescription medications.
17. While Mr. Akers was incarcerated, he repeatedly informed the Corrections Officers and the Corizon Staff with whom he came into contact that he:
(a) could not sleep and had not slept since his incarceration;
(b) was extremely depressed;
(c) needed his aforementioned prescription medications;
(d) needed to see a doctor;
(e) thought he was going to die if he didn”t get help; and
(f) was going to harm himself by committing suicide if he didnt get help.
18. While Mr. Akers was incarcerated, the Corrections Officers and the Corizon Staff saw him suffer or knew that he had suffered a “panic attack” in which his body involuntarily shook and his respiratory rate drastically increased. At no time while Mr. Akers was incarcerated did anyone ever:
(a) provide Mr. Akers with any medical care or mental health medical care;
(b) provide Mr. Akers with any medications, including his own prescription medications; or
(c) move or place Mr. Akers into a cell, pod, hospital, clinic or any other facility where could be observed, monitored and protected from the possibility of his committing suicide.
19. On May 29, 2013, moments after Mr. Akers saw a Corrections Officer and a Corizon Staff member and said he was going to commit suicide, he was taken back to the general population pod and / or cell to which he had been assigned, and committed suicide.
