Alphie Herrera Sr.
Alphie Herrera Sr., a 39-year-old man from Bethlehem, died in February 2013 at the Lehigh County Jail in Allentown. The coroner said he had a seizure while corrections officers restrained him in a chair. His ex-wife sued, alleging that he was denied medical attention and that officers used excessive force against him. A federal jury later found that six corrections officers had not acted wrongfully.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The coroner attributed his death to a seizure while he was physically restrained in a chair, and his ex-wife's lawsuit alleges officers used excessive force and denied him medical attention.
Reported by: coroner; his ex-wife's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His ex-wife sued the Lehigh County corrections officers in federal court, and a jury found in favor of the six officers, so no payment was made.