Elbert Thornton
Elbert Thornton, 55, died in 2013 in his cell at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary, where he was held and where he was found unresponsive. The state lists his death as natural causes. Former prison nurse Jessica Jobes testified in 2018 that she saw severe injuries on his body and that Department of Correction officials overruled the medical staff. A Department of Correction spokeswoman told The Tennessean in 2015 that the injuries could have come from seizures and a spilled cup of hot water.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed). The state lists his death as natural causes, while former prison nurse Jessica Jobes testified in 2018 that she saw severe injuries on his body and that officials overruled medical staff, and a Department of Correction spokeswoman told The Tennessean in 2015 that the injuries could have come from seizures and a spilled cup of hot water.
Reported by: state of Tennessee (the agency that held him); Jessica Jobes, former prison nurse (witnesses); Department of Correction spokeswoman (the agency that held him).