Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor, 75, was a homeless man who died at the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly, New Jersey, on December 30, 2013. Officials said he was moved to segregation for his own safety, while witnesses said guards made degrading remarks to him and that he was not given food over the five days he was held in a cell. Officers found him dead around 4:30 p.m. after a 3 p.m. check, and a clinical psychiatrist did not enter his cell, according to reporting. The county medical examiner ruled the death natural from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the Prosecutor's Office found no neglect, but medical specialists who reviewed his records told The Trentonian his death could have been prevented with proper care. A fellow detainee's federal lawsuit says he was left in a cold cell and that the detainee was later retaliated against for speaking out; the county denies the claims. His body went unclaimed for nearly six months until people raised money for a proper burial.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The county medical examiner ruled his death natural from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, while a fellow detainee's federal lawsuit says staff neglected him in a cold cell and that the detainee was later retaliated against for speaking out.
Reported by: Burlington County medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Burlington County Prosecutor's Office (outside investigators); a fellow detainee's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: A fellow detainee filed a federal lawsuit alleging Taylor was neglected in a cold cell and that the detainee was later retaliated against, and the county denies the claims.
Sources (5)
- Is an Independent Investigation of the Burlington County Jail Needed? [POLL]
- Questions surround 2 inmates' deaths at Burlington County Jail
- Family of deceased Burlington County Jail inmate files $25 million lawsuit, report says
- STORIES OF THE YEAR: Inmates die in Burlington County Jail
- Maple Shade man alleges jail officials retaliated against him after inmate's death