(L.A.) John Horton, 22, Died in County Jail
Case Number: 2009-02315
Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 22-year-old Black male that occurred inside the county jail.
The coroner’s office has identified the man as John Horton.
Manner of Death: Undetermined
Cause of Death: Hanging and Other Undetermined Factors
RIP JOHN HORTON (March 20, 1987 – March 30, 2009)
Formal pronouncement of death was made on Monday at 4:05 a.m.
Los Angeles County Jail officials claimed the decedent had committed suicide.
The American Civil Liberties Union has said the case may be an example of negligence inside an overcrowded and troubled jail.
Horton had gone to jail for failing to show up for his court-ordered drug program.
His mother doesn’t believe Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials who say her son hanged himself inside his cell.
The coroner’s report found he had also suffered injuries to his liver and his kidney. A Sheriff spokesman maintains the death was a suicide.
A lawsuit was filed:
https://casetext.com/case/jones-v-cnty-of-la
Plaintiff Helen Jones brought this action individually and as personal representative of the estate of her son, John Horton. Horton died in March 2009 while incarcerated at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Men’s Central Jail. Plaintiff filed a complaint in February 2010 against the County of Los Angeles (County), Sheriff Leroy Baca, and doe defendants. She later identified and sued Deputy Christopher Kidder as a doe defendant. The County and Sheriff Baca filed a motion for summary judgment. Deputy Kidder filed a separate motion for summary judgment. The trial court granted summary judgment or judgment on the pleadings for all three defendants, and plaintiff appealed.
We affirm in part and reverse in part. The judgment for Sheriff Baca is affirmed. The judgment for the County on causes of action for wrongful death and negligence is reversed. As well, the judgment for Deputy Kidder on the causes of action for wrongful death, negligence, and violation of civil rights is reversed. In all other respects, we affirm.