Gordon "Casey" Powell
Gordon "Casey" Powell lived with his sister, Stephanie Powell Leisure, his legal guardian, who remembers his love of coffee, listening to the radio in the backyard, and how he always remembered his friends. He was held at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Washington, in a unit for people with mental health needs, when another prisoner attacked him. Snohomish County prosecutors said the attack caused fatal injuries to his head. He was taken to a hospital in Everett and died nine days later, after his sister chose to end life support. His family's federal lawsuit says staff had warning signs of the attack and questions whether it could have been prevented.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). Snohomish County prosecutors say another prisoner stomped on Powell's head, and they charged that prisoner with aggravated murder; his family's federal lawsuit says staff had warning signs of the attack and did not prevent it.
Reported by: Snohomish County prosecutors; his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal lawsuit questioning whether staff had warning signs before the attack and whether it could have been prevented, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.