Died in jail or a lockup
Name not reported
According to James Nelson, a man held at Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles County, California, in the 1980s was beaten by deputies along with his cellmate after they walked around the unit. Deputies told the family that he had been handcuffed and fell down an escalator, and that he died with a broken neck. Nelson says the family was given that account and that the truth was different.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed). Deputies told the family he fell down an escalator after being handcuffed, but James Nelson says deputies beat him and his cellmate and that the family was told a false account.
Reported by: sheriff's deputies, as told to the family (the agency that held him); James Nelson (family or their lawyers).