Elmer W Pless
Elmer Winston Pless died on May 15, 2023, while held at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Butts County, where he was in the mental health unit. He lived with bipolar disorder and needed treatment and medication, according to his surviving spouse, Marilyn Pless. Her lawsuit against prison officers and administrators says his cellmate choked him during a struggle lasting about two and a half hours, while guards did not respond to calls for help and required checks were not made. The lawsuit's claims have not been answered in court, and the Georgia Department of Corrections declined to comment.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). Marilyn Pless, his surviving spouse, says in a lawsuit that his cellmate choked him during a struggle of about two and a half hours while guards did not respond to calls for help and required checks were not made.
Reported by: Marilyn Pless, surviving spouse, in a lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His surviving spouse, Marilyn Pless, sued prison officers and administrators, alleging his cellmate choked him while guards did not respond to calls for help; the claims have not been answered in court.