Darius Robinson
Darius Robinson, 41, died in April 2016 after Caddo County Jail staff restrained him in a neck hold in his cell in Anadarko, Oklahoma. His brother Ancio said he was not a violent person, was still close with his family, and that the family would miss his smile; the family also described him as a loving father of seven or eight children. The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide from asphyxiation caused by manual compression of the neck, and surveillance video released by Black Lawyers for Justice and the district attorney's office shows the moments before he lost consciousness. Jail officials said he had become violent and agitated, and that jailers used pepper spray and a neck hold on him, while his family's attorneys say the force was excessive and that he was denied blood pressure medication and medical attention. A grand jury recommended no charges against the staff but called for more training, policy changes and better medical screening.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from manual compression of the neck during a jail restraint, while the family's attorneys say excessive force caused it and that he was denied blood pressure medication and medical attention, and a grand jury recommended jail improvements but issued no indictment.
Reported by: Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Caddo County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); the family's attorneys (family or their lawyers); Black Lawyers for Justice (advocates); Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators); the grand jury.
Lawsuit: His family's attorneys planned a federal civil rights lawsuit over his death at the Caddo County jail, and no settlement or award amount is reported.
Sources (11)
- News report
- Caddo Co inmate's death ruled homicide
- Autopsy: Caddo County inmate was restrained, choked to death
- Surveillance videos show moments before death of Caddo County Jail inmate
- Video released of incident before Caddo County inmate's death
- Video released of struggle that led to Okla. inmate’s death
- A video shows an Oklahoma inmate being strangled by jail staff, but criminal charges reportedly haven't been filed
- No charges filed in Caddo County Jail death, recommendations released
- Grand Jury Recommends Fixes But No Charges After Inmate Dies at Oklahoma Jail - ABC News
- Jailers not charged in Oklahoma inmate’s strangulation death - Oroville Mercury-Register