Rommell Johnson
Rommell Johnson, 44, had chronic asthma and was held at the Northwest Florida Reception Center in Chipley, Washington County, Florida, where he died on June 3, 2010. The Department of Corrections inspector general and a medical examiner ruled the death accidental, attributing it to an asthma attack caused by chemical spray that guards used on him. A nurse had treated him for severe breathing problems less than five hours before he died, and other people held at the prison and a retired sergeant later disputed that nurse's decision, described a cell cleaned soon after he was removed, and alleged a possible cover-up. His mother sued the state, and the state paid $175,000 to settle a wrongful-death suit. In 2015 the corrections secretary moved to have state investigators review the case again.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The Department of Corrections inspector general and a medical examiner ruled it an accidental asthma attack caused by chemical spray from guards, while inmates and a retired sergeant dispute the nurse's decision after treating his breathing problems.
Reported by: Florida Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Department of Corrections inspector general (the agency that held him); medical examiner or coroner; inmates and a retired sergeant; his mother's wrongful-death lawsuit (family or their lawyers); news report.
Lawsuit: His mother sued the state over his death and the state settled the wrongful-death suit for $175,000.