Clarence Cousins
Clarence Cousins, 37, was held at the Forsyth County jail in September 1996. The jail placed him in a unit for people with medical problems, where staff were said to be monitoring him for withdrawal symptoms. A nurse employed by Correctional Medical Services diagnosed a mental disorder rather than delirium tremens, and he died in the early morning hours after he was first seen that evening. The N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded he died of complications from delirium tremens, and a wrongful-death suit against the county's medical contractor later settled for $175,000.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). The state medical examiner ruled he died of complications from delirium tremens, and a wrongful-death suit says a nurse employed by Correctional Medical Services diagnosed a mental disorder instead of withdrawal, delaying treatment.
Reported by: N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Keith (reporters).
Lawsuit: A wrongful-death suit was filed against the county's medical contractor, Correctional Medical Services, and settled for $175,000.