John Chamberlain
John Derek Chamberlain, 41, worked as a computer technician, and a former girlfriend said he was frightened for his life while held at the Theo Lacy Facility jail in Orange, California, and called her every night. He died on October 5, 2006, after other men held in a barracks at the jail beat him. The autopsy and a sheriff's investigation classified his death as a homicide from multiple blunt force injuries. Investigators said the attack followed a false rumor spread among the men held there, and that a deputy may have helped start it; the deputies deny this, and a defense attorney's claim that deputies helped set up the attack was never proven. According to reports, a senior deputy told investigators he was watching television during an attack that lasted at least 20 minutes, and county supervisors asked for a review of jail policies.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). Investigators and prosecutors say fellow inmates beat him to death, while defense attorneys suggested sheriff's deputies helped set up the attack, an allegation that was never proven; a senior deputy told investigators he was watching television during the attack, which lasted at least 20 minutes, and county supervisors asked for a review of jail policies.
Reported by: Orange County Sheriff's Department investigators (the agency that held him); autopsy; Orange County prosecutors (outside investigators); Undersheriff JoAnn Galisky, in grand jury testimony (the agency that held him); defense attorneys; Superior Court (court).