Dewey McVay Jr.
Dewey McVay, Jr., 55, died on December 20, 2019, after being held at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio. His sister, Patricia Maxwell, said he did not deserve to die like this and that his life had meaning and he was loved. Officers Clinton Woodard-Hinton and Tory Miller told investigators they used hammer-fist blows to subdue him on December 2, 2019, and the coroner determined the cause of death was blunt force injuries to the head. His estate's lawsuit alleges guards slammed him against a cell wall and struck him while he was handcuffed, and says medical staff did not follow a doctor's recommendation for a head CT scan. The prosecutor declined to bring charges, saying his history of banging his head against walls cast doubt on the cause of the injuries, and the state agreed to pay $225,000 to settle the estate's lawsuit.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The coroner ruled the cause blunt force injuries to the head, while his family's lawsuit says officers struck him with hammer-fist blows and staff did not follow a doctor's recommendation for a head CT scan, and the prosecutor declined charges citing his history of banging his head.
Reported by: coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Officers Clinton Woodard-Hinton and Tory Miller (the agency that held him); McVay's family and estate, through their lawyers and wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Pickaway County Prosecutor Judy Wolford; USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau (reporters).
Lawsuit: His estate sued the state over his death at the Correctional Reception Center and the state agreed to pay $225,000 to settle the lawsuit.
Sources (4)
- Documents show problems with medical care, supervision and violence at Ohio prison
- Editorial: Ohio prison officers dispensing virtual death sentences, prison reform needed now
- Ohio prison system sued by estate of a man who died after violent clash with staff
- Violent clash and death in Ohio prison leads to $225,000 settlement