Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/11/2009

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Terry Menshek - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Brady

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

NO CRIMINAL LIABILITY IN JAIL DEATH

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Mr. Richard Lamont Williamson died of natural causes due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and that at the time of death Mr. Williamson also suffered from coronary atherosclerosis and had cocaine and morphine in his system. Based on a complete review of all the available evidence, the District Attorney concluded that there was no criminal negligence on the part of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department or its employees.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, “After reviewing all the evidence in this case, it is apparent that this was a tragic death due to natural causes. It did not involve criminal negligence on the part of any member of the Sheriff’s Department. As soon as jail staff became aware that Mr. Williamson’s life may have been in danger, they acted lawfully and with due care in an attempt to save his life.”

On June 15, 2007, Mr. Williamson was contacted in a motel room with two other individuals. During the investigation, both of Mr. Williamson’s companions were arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. In the room, officers located a hypodermic needle, drug paraphernalia and a plastic bag with trace amounts of a white substance. The room was registered to Mr. Williamson. Mr. Williamson was arrested for a parole violation and transported to the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility

During the booking process, Mr. Williamson reported that he was taking Methadone, Dilantin, and Prilosec due to ongoing medical issues. Mr. Williamson had been booked into the jail six months earlier, and at that time he told staff that he was a heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine user. Due to Mr. Williamson’s reported use of Methadone and his previously reported use of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, medical personnel at the jail placed Mr. Williamson on a five-day opiate withdrawal protocol. Mr. Williamson was placed in a booking cell where he remained for several hours without incident. Eventually, Mr. Williamson was placed in a jail cell where he was observed by staff and treated for his medical condition

On June 16, 2007, Mr. Williamson asked to speak to medical staff. Mr. Williamson reported that he was suffering from a rash and had vomited. He was able to take his medications without incident. Mr. Williamson was continued on the opiate withdrawal protocol to assist him with his opiate detoxification. Mr. Williamson continued to be monitored by jail staff and medical personnel and was checked every fifteen minutes.

In the early morning hours of June 17, 2007, Mr. Williamson was found unresponsive in his cell. Life saving efforts were begun by medical personnel, followed by paramedics and fire personnel, without success. Mr. Williamson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The time frame for release of the District Attorney’s report in this matter was extended in order to pursue and evaluate additional information and medical opinion. After receiving and carefully reviewing the initial incident reports from the Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s Office requested additional investigation regarding certain medication that had been prescribed to Mr. Williamson. In addition, further expert medical opinion was sought regarding the effect of this medication on Mr. Williams and any possible link between the medication and the cause of death.

After a complete autopsy and a review of Mr. Williamson’s clinical history, Dr. Kelly Arthur, M.D., of Forensic Medical Group, Inc. determined he died of natural causes due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

According to the county-wide Employee Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, the District Attorney’s Office participated in the joint investigation with the Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Investigation unit.