Rodney Earl Graham
Rodney Earl Graham, 30, died on November 4, 2009, while held at the Douglas County Jail in Georgia. His father, Ray, wrote to jail staff pleading for medical attention for his son, and his wife also contacted the jail about his serious kidney and blood disease. An attorney's review of jail records and video says staff did not provide the treatment outlined for him. The official autopsy listed acute renal failure as the cause of death, though the family was first told of a heart attack and an official was later told of a drug overdose, and the county later settled a civil claim over his death for $937,500.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The official autopsy listed acute renal failure, while District Attorney David McDade says staff treated him as if he were withdrawing from drugs and ignored his warnings about a life-threatening kidney disease.
Reported by: official autopsy report; Douglas County District Attorney David McDade (outside investigators); Graham's family and their attorney (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Douglas County and settled the civil claim for $937,500.