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Inmate dies while at Adams County jail

Published 12:00am Saturday, August 11, 2012

NATCHEZ — The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating an inmate death in the Adams County Sheriff’s Office jail.

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said the deceased, a 32-year-old male, had been booked into the jail earlier in the day he was found dead, July 28.

The victim, who was alone in a holding cell, had apparently hanged himself with his pants, Mayfield said.

The sheriff said holding cells are checked every 30 to 34 minutes, but that it only takes approximately three minutes to do what the victim did.

The investigation into the death was turned over to the MBI as an outside agency, Mayfield said

MBI Spokesman Warren Strain said investigators are still waiting on some evidentiary findings before the case can be closed.

Information about the death was not made public until repeated inquiries were returned Thursday.

Members of the Adams County Board of Supervisors said they had not been notified and had no information.

Mayfield said the death was an unfortunate incident.

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  • Anonymous

    Sound to me as if this “unfortunate” accident was trying to be covered up. Natchez Democrat, what’s the real story??? 

  • Anonymous

    I don’t doubt what’s being reported, but this was a rare time the sheriff didn’t want to get his name in the paper.  The ACSO press officer don’t issue press releases, if the news isn’t favorable to the ACSO.

  • http://www.natchezdemocrat.com khakirat

    This is a very common thing with the ND not getting the whole story on numerous articles so this is very common!!

  • http://www.natchezdemocrat.com khakirat

    The only law we have in Adams county and you folks are knocking the Sheriff department makes me think your in on area drug deals!! Mayfield and his department have done a outstanding job and I’d stand back to back with him any day!! Hopefully the NPD will get their act together for years it has been the keystone cops of embarrasment!!

  • Anonymous

    THIS CASE IS SO FULL OF COVER-UP. THE SUPERVISORS NO NOTHING ABOUT THE CASE. THE FBI SHOULD BE IN CHARGE, NOT THE MBI. THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE INMATE SHOULD BE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO GET THE FBI INVOLVED AND A NUMBER ONE GOOD LAWYER. MAYFIELD WILL DO OR SAY ANYTHING TO CLOSE THE CASE AS QUICK AS HE CAN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURED AT THAT JAIL AND SWEPT UNDER THE RUG. THAT PLACE NEEDS A FULL PLEDGE INVESTIGING. THIS SHERIFF HAVE AND IS GETTING AWAY WITH TO MANY THINGS. I, AS A TAX PAYER OF NAC OPEN THE FLOOR FOR A SUBPOENA ISSUED TO MR CHUCK MAYFIELD TO BE AUDIT. THIS IS A FEDERAL CASE, NOT STATE.

  • Anonymous

    If this individual would have hung himself at his own residence then everyone would be posting condolences to the family and friends instead of blaming the department. Federal policy is that cells are checked in 15 minute increments only if the offender is suspected of being suicidal. If not they will randomly be checked every 30 minutes. In either case the man would have time to hang himself directly after the check and accomplish what he wanted.

  • Anonymous

    Not sure who’s more irksome, the Mayfield worshippers or the conspiracy theorist.  The guy hung himself, BUT it’s also very likely he was not checked on every 30 minutes. Routine punctuality and being responsible, is not a common trait among government employees  Remember one jailer was recently fired for DUI and evading police and in the city jail, a jailer smuggled drugs in. The scandal may end up being, instead of checking on the troubled prisoner every 30 minutes, the jailer was eating, playing with his cell phone, or both.  May have went for hours without checking on him.  May God have mercy on the deceased and his family.

  • Anonymous

    You are living in complete and total DELUSION

  • Anonymous

    I hate it happened, whoever he was. I do have one thing to say. They do NOT check cells every 30-40 mins. FACT

  • Anonymous

    The police dept. is doing a good job & they answer more calls in one day, than the sheriff ‘s dept.handles in 90 days.

  • Anonymous

    Not having been arrested, I don’t know the routine.  I believe holding cells are used for the newly arrested,  Somebody recently arrested, can be humiliated, angry, depressed, on drugs, and yes suicidal.  There is a reason they’re supposed to be checked on frequently. The guy hung himself, but somebody was supposed to be keeping an eye on him.

  • Anonymous

    I haven’t been either. But unfortunately, I had a loved one there for two nights and I do believe what he said.

  • PBNJ

    FACT – you don’t have your facts straight at all. That is a fact!!!

  • Anonymous

    And just what do you base your accusation upon? Your hatred or disdain for the Sheriff’s Department? Or just your hatred?

  • http://www.natchezdemocrat.com khakirat

    This isn’t even debateable to the performance of the Sheriff dept.for I’d win with thumbs up!!!

    In a message dated 8/12/2012 1:39:55 A.M. Central Daylight Time, notifications@disqus.net writes:

    (http://disqus.com/)

    natchezasu1 wrote, in response to khakirat:
    The police dept. is doing a good job & they answer more calls in one day, than the sheriff ‘s dept.handles in 90 days.

    _Link to comment_ (http://redirect.disqus.com/url?url=http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2012/08/11/inmate-dies-while-at-adams-county-jail/#comment-6171290 19:m4yBq0kj5YZY8VdSwitCxqzKhsY&imp=3c08395a-0c67-4e20-bdd8-f890f3b658bd&zone =notifications.clicks&forum=natchezdemocrat&thread=800946974)

  • Anonymous

    dont know where you get your facts,but they have cell check program there that verifies when cell checks are made

  • Anonymous

    oh i see,been arrested. must be a very truthful individual

  • Anonymous

    He was in there because as a parent, I asked them to keep him there as a lesson. Yes, you can do that. A teenager being arrested for public intoxication (not driving) doesn’t make him a hardened criminal, nor a liar.  

  • Anonymous

    I hope you’re not speaking of a piece of paper you write a time on and sign.

  • Anonymous

    In case you haven’t noticed, suicides are not typically publicized, as it brings a certain shame with it, and out of respect for the next of kin, names are typically withheld from the news story. The obituary may appear; it may not. I think a lot more could be done to prevent suicides by getting people the help they need if at least the statistics were shared occasionally in the media, along with avenues to get help with what’s driving them in that direction. This is a sad thing, and a great trauma for those who cared for this person. I don’t know any more than I read here, but please have some sensitivity to the friends and family involved. Please pray that whatever caused this death will be diminished in our area. There are so many things we need to be praying about and doing something about.

  • Anonymous

    I thought they took away belts when they were booked in.

  • Anonymous

    no im not they are linked to a computer in the jail

  • Anonymous

    oh now i get it as a parent you are a failure and want some ONE else to teach him a lesson.Like the sorry “SHERIFFS DEPT”. well they aint babysitters and jail is a dangerous place with REAL criminals. that would be where i would want my son or daughter!!

  • Anonymous

    Look, I have no problem with the new sheriff, I like what he’s done. Do you work there, is that why you are so defensive? Does it help you prove your point by personally attacking me? I’m all for helping people but be aware, internet bullying is a crime.

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