Tony Lester
Anthony Lester, a young Native American man who had schizophrenia, was held at Tucson State Prison in Arizona on July 11, 2010, though a court had ordered him into mental health housing. His family repeatedly sought the treatment the judge had ordered and pressed prison officials about his illness and his need for medication. According to the investigation, he was placed on suicide watch, then moved to a detention cell, where he was given a razor blade and cut himself fatally; the investigation ruled his death a suicide. His family's wrongful death lawsuit says officers who entered the cell gave him no first aid and he bled to death before EMS arrived, and the family has questioned the prison's response.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The investigation ruled it a suicide by razor blade, but his family's wrongful death lawsuit says officers who entered his cell gave no first aid and he bled to death before EMS arrived, and the summary notes he was held despite a court order for mental health housing.
Reported by: investigation; family's wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Custody: Serving a sentence.
Lawsuit: His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit over his death, and the sources report no settlement or award amount.