Died in jail or a lockup
John Wright
John Wright was held at the jail in St. Helena, Napa County, California. Early on May 5, 1888, a group of masked men surrounded the jail, and the justice who held its keys was forced to hand them over. The men took Wright from the jail and hanged him from the bridge at the head of Main Street. A coroner's jury found that he died by violence at the hands of unknown persons and criticized the town's police for leaving the jail unguarded, and no arrests had been made.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A coroner's jury found Wright died by violence at the hands of unknown persons and criticized the town's police for leaving the jail unguarded.
Reported by: coroner's jury (medical examiner or coroner).