Uncategorized
No Winners In Jail Death Suit
September 20, 2008 
Five years of legal hassle ended last week for John and Carol Eichmann when an Ada County jury declared the county and sheriff’s department were not liable for the death of Carol Eichmann’s son, Michael McClure.
McClure
The couple’s pain over losing a son who died in the Ada County Jail is still deep.
McClure had a somewhat troubled life — three DUI convictions and a diagnosed medical condition that was being treated by anti-anxiety medications. In 2003 he was sentenced to serve time in the Ada County jail for DUI.
When he checked in at the jail and informed jailers he needed his meds, they denied him possession of the drugs, citing jail policy. They also would not administer the meds without the authorization of the jail’s doctor.
He soon died in custody and the family claimed it was for lack of medication. The county claimed cause of death was–sarcoidosis– the same condition suffered by comedian Bernie Mac’s who died recently.
Evidence was presented during the three week trial that ended Thursday indicating McClure had the active ingredient of his anti-anxiety medication in his blood, but testimony was offered claiming it was less than one-third the therapeutic dose.
Society will not win or lose debating the cause of death. The important thing is that it not happen again.
Sheriff Gary Raney talked with the GUARDIAN about the incident–which transpired prior to his election as sheriff–and said there was “a break in the continuation of care” for McClure due to the policy in place at the time of not allowing inmates access to their own drugs. He said that break in treatment no longer happens, thanks to new medical facilities, trained medical staff, and new policies.
While still seeking closure and some indication their son did not die in vain, the Eichmanns say they are “at peace” with the jury decision. They may find it in Sheriff Gary Raney.
“Sheriff Raney approached my wife last week during a break in the trial and offered to give us a personal tour so that he could show us the changes in the jail medical unit which were brought about because of Michael’s death. However, all the $6 million improvements don’t address the fact that the jail STILL has a policy of prohibiting medications. That’s barbaric in the 21st Century.”
Raney confirms even today, an inmate would not be allowed access to the drug without authorization–to the jail–from a doctor. However the lag time for that authorization should be shortened drastically, brought about in part as a result of the death of McClure.
We hope they take the tour Raney has offered. If they have some constructive ideas for Raney, he should seriously consider them.
To insure more advertising-free Boise Guardian news, please consider financial support.
Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Sep 20, 2008, 8:34 pm
How sad! A phone call to this guys doc to verify his medication needs at the time of his booking is all it would have taken. A note on letterhead from the doc presented at the time he was incarcerated.
This young man died because of a stupid policy that is followed blindly by jail personnel. For every rule there are exceptions that may need to be accomodated.
A DUI sentence causes this guy to die prematurely. No winners in this deal.
Sep 21, 2008, 6:56 am
Not allowing inmates to bring into the jail “outside” medications is a reasonable and prudent precaution.
It isn’t that difficult to whittle a hit of “E” (Ecstasy) to look like a pharmaceutical, treat an aspirin with “Vitamin A” (LSD) or fill a gelatin capsule with some powdered weed.
And about that “Doctor”…
I’d be stunned if it actually IS a “Doctor” at all. More than likely it’s a “Physicians Assistant” and / or “Nurse Practitioner” doing the hands-on (with some M.D. far removed ostensibly functioning as the “Medical Director”).
And while P.A.s and N.P.s are usually very quick to point out the extent of their education and that they’re “almost” M.D.’s…
They’re not.
—
That doesn’t keep your local “Doc-in-the-Box” (i.e. Primary Health) from charging you full price when you’re seen by a P.A. / N.P. instead of an M.D.
Sep 21, 2008, 7:42 am
Stupid policy and sad, yes, but .. we have put ourselves in the position, especially in gov’t, where policy and procedure are king. If something goes awry, the first Q is “Did they follow policy.” Comes from too much litigation, among other things.
Sep 21, 2008, 9:42 pm
Have we completely lost sight of the fact that this guy would be alive today if he had not CHOSEN to drive while intoxicated. Repeatedly! That’s what caused his death!
Sep 29, 2008, 9:42 pm
Cyclops certainly is viewing this with only one eye open. Michael is (was) my best friend…and although he made a bad decision it should not have been a death sentence carried out by deputies whom decided to not provide him his medication. Perhaps you would reconsider your comment if your mother was shot for J walking. Michael was serving his time for his mistake, and was stolen from his family and friends due to county employees not wanting to do the job they were (are) employed to do. He was a brilliant engineer, not a bum living on the street as the prosecutors made him out to be. I feel sorry for the community, as those responsible are still employed at the jail, and you have two prosecuting attorneys that lied and deceived like Satan himself. I pray that this tragedy never occurs again.