Sheldon Weinstein
Sheldon Weinstein, 64, was severely diabetic and was reported to be nursing a broken leg when he was beaten by other people held at Maine State Prison on April 20, 2009. He died four days later; the state medical examiner's report listed blood in the abdominal cavity, delayed rupture of his spleen and blunt force trauma, and the manner of death as homicide. A former prison chaplain who saw his injuries that day, and who described him as brilliant and successful, says he asked a guard to bring Sheldon toilet paper, and says prison officials were told of the death quickly. His widow, Janet Weinstein, brought a wrongful-death claim alleging the state was indifferent to violence among the people held there, and the state paid a $100,000 settlement with confidential terms. Witnesses gave conflicting accounts of the beating, and questions about neglect and responsibility remain unresolved.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). The state medical examiner attributed the death to a ruptured spleen and blunt force trauma from an inmate assault, while author Stan Moody says prison officials were told quickly and asks whether neglect played a part; his widow Janet Weinstein's wrongful-death claim alleged staff indifference to inmate violence, and the claim settled for $100,000 with confidential terms.
Reported by: state medical examiner's report (medical examiner or coroner); author Stan Moody; Janet Weinstein's wrongful-death claim (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His widow, Janet Weinstein, brought a wrongful-death claim and received a $100,000 state settlement, though its terms are described as confidential.