Joseph Damien Duran
Joseph Damien Duran was 35 years old. He was adopted at age five and raised by his parents in Southern California, and they said he had a serious mental illness. He died in his cell at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione in September 2013, when he was held there; the Amador County coroner's office first classified the death as a suicide. His parents say guards pepper-sprayed him in the face and neck while he was holding the food port, then left him in the cell for hours despite requests from medical staff, and a 2016 settlement of $750,000 from the state and Amador County followed their federal lawsuit.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The Amador County coroner's office initially classified his death as a suicide, but his parents' federal lawsuit says guards pepper-sprayed him and left him in his cell for hours despite requests from medical staff.
Reported by: Amador County coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Duran's parents, in a federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His parents sued the state and Amador County, and the two agreed to pay $750,000 to them in a 2016 settlement.