Raymond Smoot
Raymond Smoot, 52, was held at the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center, and died on May 14, 2005, at a hospital after an injury he suffered in his cell. His niece, Delvonna Smoot, described seeing his bruised and bloody face, and said the family had planned to bail him out the Monday after he died. The state medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. Family attorney Warren Brown says officers beat him in his cell, and the state corrections department has declined to release details of the fight. Six guards were placed on leave while state investigators look into the death.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed). The state medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, and family attorney Warren Brown says officers beat and stomped him in his cell; the corrections department declined to release details of the fight.
Reported by: state medical examiner's office (medical examiner or coroner); family attorney Warren Brown (family or their lawyers); state corrections department.