FBI considering civil rights investigation into jail death of Jamycheal Mitchell

By Gary A. Harki | The Virginian-Pilot | May 11, 2016 19:15 PM

NORFOLK

The FBI might conduct a civil rights investigation into the death of Jamycheal Mitchell at the Hampton Roads Regional Jail.

“The FBI is aware of the situation involving Jamycheal Mitchell and our office is evaluating the information available to determine if a federal civil rights investigation is warranted,” agency spokeswoman Christina Pullen said in an email to The Virginian-Pilot.

Mitchell, 24, died in the jail last year. Two reports released by state agencies have said a series of systematic failures led to his remaining in jail instead of being transferred to a state mental health facility for treatment. A lawsuit filed by his family this week alleges jail officers beat, starved and treated Mitchell “like a circus animal.”

When called and asked about the FBI’s involvement, Mitchell family lawyer Mark Krudys said he sent a letter asking for a civil rights investigation into Mitchell’s death.

“We made a formal request to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division,” he said.

Mitchell’s aunt Roxanne Adams is named as the plaintiff in a civil suit that lists about 40 defendants, including guards from the jail, its board, jail Superintendent David Simons and its then-medical care provider, NaphCare Inc.

The suit seeks $60 million in damages.

Mitchell was transferred around May 11 to Hampton Roads Regional Jail. He weighed 182 pounds at the time, the lawsuit claims. He weighed 144 pounds during a post-death examination.

Gary A. Harki, 757-446-2370, gary.harki@pilotonline.com

Follow @GaryAHarki on Twitter.

See Original Article Here.