Niko Larome Smith
Niko Smith, 31, died in August 2015 after being held in the Washoe County jail in Nevada. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Reno attorneys Terri Keyser-Cooper and Luke Busby, deputies restrained him in a protective garment after he tried to hang himself, and two officers knelt on his back, cutting off his breathing. The lawsuit says he never regained consciousness. His death certificate lists homicide, with complications of excited delirium and methamphetamine intoxication as the cause, and the medical examiner ruled it a homicide by excited delirium, while the county agreed to pay $75,000 to settle the family's lawsuit.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed). The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from excited delirium, while the family's lawsuit says deputies cut off his breathing by pinning him face-down with two officers kneeling on his back.
Reported by: medical examiner or coroner; Reno attorneys Terri Keyser-Cooper and Luke Busby, in a wrongful death lawsuit for the family (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Washoe County and the county agreed to pay $75,000 to settle the case.