Steven Neuroth
Steven Neuroth, 55, of Ukiah, was the brother of James Neuroth of Laytonville, and his family's lawyer described him as a schizophrenic man in psychiatric crisis. He died on June 11, 2014, after officers held him facedown and handcuffed and shackled him in a sobering cell at the Mendocino County Jail, while a medical staff member watched. Video shows him on the floor pleading "Please don't hurt me" before he was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Mendocino County coroner attributed his death to methamphetamine toxicity associated with a violent struggle, while his brother's wrongful death lawsuit contended that compression asphyxia from the deputies' weight on his back caused it. The lawsuit settled for $5 million, with the county, a contract medical provider and the city of Willits paying, and the settlement required policy and training changes, including crisis intervention training.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The Mendocino County coroner attributed his death to methamphetamine toxicity associated with a violent struggle, while his brother James's lawsuit says deputies' weight on his back caused compression asphyxia during restraint, and the lawsuit says staff failed to provide adequate medical care while he was restrained facedown.
Reported by: Mendocino County coroner (medical examiner or coroner); James Neuroth's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His brother James Neuroth sued Mendocino County, a contract medical provider and the city of Willits, and the case settled for $5 million with requirements for crisis intervention training.