Darnell McMillian
Darnell McMillian, 38, died in June 2020 while held in a suicide watch cell at Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama. According to Alabama Department of Corrections records cited by the Equal Justice Initiative, a lieutenant sprayed a large volume of irritating chemical agents into the cell. The records say he was non-verbal and unresponsive after the force was used and was pronounced dead about an hour later.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). Alabama Department of Corrections records, as cited by the Equal Justice Initiative, say a lieutenant sprayed irritating chemical agents into his suicide watch cell and he was pronounced dead an hour later; EJI says staff used force on a man on suicide watch and left him unattended, and the official account is contested by his family's advocates.
Reported by: Alabama Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Equal Justice Initiative (advocates).