Died in prison
John Barker
John Barker died on September 26, 2018, at St. Clair prison in Alabama. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson wrote in a ruling that Mr. Barker hanged himself from a vent cover in his cell. According to the ruling, he had been held in segregation for months despite being flagged as having a serious mental illness. The ruling also says officers waited six minutes before cutting him down.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson said John Barker hanged himself in his cell, and said staff kept him in segregation despite a serious mental illness flag and waited six minutes before cutting him down.
Reported by: U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson (court).