Gordon Powell
Gordon Powell, a 45-year-old man, was held at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Washington, where he was assaulted in May 2015 by another prisoner while housed in a unit for people with mental health needs. His sister, Stephanie Powell Leisure, who was his legal guardian, remembers his love of coffee, listening to the radio in the backyard, and how he always remembered his friends. Prosecutors say the other prisoner repeatedly stomped on Gordon's head, and he was taken to a hospital in Everett, where he died nine days later after his sister chose to end life support. The family's federal lawsuit says corrections officers failed to protect him, and the Department of Corrections agreed to a $1.5 million settlement in 2017 without admitting liability.
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 charged him with aggravated murder; his family's federal lawsuit says staff had warning signs and could have prevented the attack, and the Department of Corrections settled without admitting liability.
Reported by: Snohomish County prosecutors; his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Washington Department of Corrections (the agency that held him).
Lawsuit: His family sued in federal court, and the Washington Department of Corrections agreed to a $1.5 million settlement reached June 12, 2017, without admitting liability.