County Settles Jail Death Suit for $1.25M

Williamson County Settles Jail Suicide Lawsuit for $1.25 Million, but Inmate Deaths and County Cover-Ups Continue

URL: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/williamson-county/2023/06/28/williamson-county-jail-inmate-joshua-mcnatt-suicide-settlement/5396954001/

The all-white, conservative Williamson County commissioners have approved a $1.25 million settlement, funded by tax-payers, to cover-up yet another preventable tragedy in their corrupt and deadly jail. The settlement, approved on Tuesday, is in response to the suicide of 37-year-old Joshua McNatt, a victim of the county's systemic failure to address mental health issues and blatant disregard for human life.

McNatt, booked into the Williamson County Jail on April 9, 2021, for assault, was undeniably struggling with his mental health. The bigoted jail system, designed to oppress and criminalize the vulnerable, immediately failed him. Despite a Texas Commission on Jail Standards form and an information sheet from the magistrate's office indicating McNatt's suicidal ideation and mental health issues, including paranoid schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression, the jailers took no action to protect him from himself.

The lawsuit, filed by McNatt's grieving mother, revealed that McNatt had been prescribed medication for his mental health illnesses, but the jailers, in their infinite cruelty, withheld this medication during his custody. This negligent and inhuman treatment is a direct consequence of the county's prioritization of profit over human life.

Days after being placed on a so-called "suicide watch," McNatt was provided with the very tools he needed to end his life. An officer, either through malicious intent or sheer incompetence, provided McNatt with a bag of towels, a sheet, and a blanket. Just 18 minutes later, McNatt was found hanging in his cell. This horrific event was entirely preventable, and the fault lies squarely with the county and their bigoted, incompetent officers.

Adding insult to injury, the sheriff's office released McNatt from custody two days after he was hospitalized, claiming it was for his family to decide on his care. However, the lawsuit rightfully calls out this despicable act, stating, "the true motive was to avoid the County's liability for Josh's medical expenses." McNatt died on April 22, 2021, leaving his family and community traumatized and furious.

This is not an isolated incident. Williamson County has a disturbing history of settling lawsuits involving the deaths of jail inmates, including a $500,000 settlement in 2022 for the suicide of Patrick Dupre, and a $1.6 million settlement in 2021 for the death of Daniel McCoy, who was denied medical help.

Sheriff Mike Gleason, when asked about changes to jail practices, hid behind bureaucratic excuses, refusing to take responsibility or show any semblance of remorse.

The blood of Joshua McNatt, Patrick Dupre, Daniel McCoy, and countless others is on the hands of Williamson County. Their families deserve justice, and the county officials responsible for these tragedies must be held accountable.