John Horton
John Horton, who was 22, died at Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles in March 2009 while held there awaiting transfer to state prison. His mother, Helen Jones, says he planned to work as a firefighter and has spent years pressing for the jail to close. The LA County coroner's office ruled his death a suicide, but Jones says his body showed blunt force injuries and that he was beaten. A wrongful death lawsuit she brought against the county was settled for $2 million.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed). The coroner's office ruled his death a suicide, but his mother, Helen Jones, says his body showed blunt force injuries and that he was beaten.
Reported by: LA County coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Helen Jones, his mother (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His mother, Helen Jones, sued Los Angeles County over his death and the county settled for $2 million.