Virgil White
Virgil White, 33, of Athens, died on December 5, 2022, at the Somerset County Jail in Madison, Maine, where he was being held on bail. According to his mother, Paula White, who sued as his estate representative, he had a history of mental health problems that had been reported to jail staff, and he had recently returned from a psychiatric center. The lawsuit said he died by hanging and asphyxiation and accused the county and jail officials of failing to provide adequate mental and physical health care. The Maine County Commissioners Association risk pool paid $147,500 to settle the case, which was dismissed in June 2025, and the settlement terms are confidential.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Virgil White's family, through attorney Stephen Smith, sued and alleges the Somerset County jail and its staff were deliberately indifferent to his medical needs and failed to train and supervise personnel, despite his mental health issues being reported to staff shortly after he returned from a psychiatric center.
Reported by: lawsuit filed by the family, through attorney Stephen Smith (family or their lawyers); Paula White, his mother and estate representative, in a federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Somerset County and jail officials over his death, and the Maine County Commissioners Association risk pool paid $147,500 to settle the suit in 2025.