Ronald W. Shoup
Ronald W. Shoup, 48, died on February 27, 2014, while held at Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown, Delaware, where he was going through alcohol withdrawal and experiencing hallucinations. His family's lawsuit says correction officers restrained him repeatedly at the request of medical staff, and that the injuries from that restraint killed him. The death certificate, signed by Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie Vershvovsky, lists the cause as fatal blunt force injuries, including fractures and a crushed chest, and the manner as homicide. The Department of Correction said its internal reviews found no wrongdoing, and the Delaware Attorney General's Office said it would not pursue criminal charges.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The assistant state medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from blunt force injuries, and his family's lawsuit says officers restrained him repeatedly at medical staff's request and that staff showed deliberate indifference to his withdrawal, while the Department of Correction says its internal reviews found no wrongdoing.
Reported by: Assistant State Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie Vershvovsky (medical examiner or coroner); his family's lawsuit and attorney Stephen A. Hampton (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued prison officials, medical staff and Correct Care Solutions over his 2014 death at Sussex Correctional Institution, and the Delaware attorney general declined to bring criminal charges.