Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 12/03/03

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: James Shine

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

Investigation of Inmate's Death Completed

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced that the investigation into the April 8, 2003 death of inmate Keith Thompson Suite is completed. DA Passalacqua concluded that there was insufficient evidence to file criminal charges against any members of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s correctional staff.

Mr. Suite was arrested by Santa Rosa police officers on June 6, 2002, for public intoxication and resisting arrest. During the previous three years, he had been arrested on seventeen occasions for public intoxication. He remained in custody until June 22, 2002, when correctional staff attempted to have him voluntarily exit his cell for a welfare check. Mr. Suite had been observed to stand in his cell for long periods of time without responding to correctional officers. His feet were observed to be discolored and swollen. Food was strewn about his cell floor.

Due to his classification status and refusal to voluntarily exit his cell, correctional officers were called to physically remove Suite from his cell and place him in a restraint chair so he could be examined by a nurse. Mr. Suite resisted efforts to remove him from the cell. While being placed in the restraint chair, Mr. Suite suffered heart failure. He was later revived and transported to a local hospital. He remained in a long-term care facility until his death on April 8, 2003. Alameda County forensic pathologist Dr. Thomas Rogers concluded that Suite died as a result of complications from the incident of June 22, 2002.

The incident of June 22, 2002, was videotaped by correctional staff, as required by the Sheriff’s protocol. The videotape and autopsy findings were independently reviewed by forensic pathologist A. Jay Chapman. Dr. Chapman concluded that there was no criminal negligence on behalf of correctional personnel who attempted to remove Mr. Suite from his cell. The joint investigation was conducted by Petaluma Police Detective John Williams, Deputy District Attorney James Shine and District Attorney Investigator Bob Simerson.