Zachary Bailey
Zachary Bailey, a 26-year-old man from Parkersburg, died on July 8, 2019, less than three hours after he was booked into the North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County. His family was first told he died of a drug overdose, and his family says he had been in recovery for substance use disorder, had been working again, and left a young son. At a civil trial, a medical doctor testified that he died of positional asphyxia, and former correctional officers testified that several officers piled on him and held him in a chokehold during a beating, according to trial testimony reported by WV MetroNews and WTAP. The state Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation agreed to a $1 million settlement with the family, and no criminal charges have been brought.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed). The family was first told he died of an overdose, but a medical doctor testified at a civil trial that he died of positional asphyxia, and former correctional officers testified that he was beaten and held in a chokehold; the state settled the family's claims during the trial, and family attorney Jesse Forbes says officers piled on him and suffocated him.
Reported by: medical doctor's testimony at civil trial (court); former correctional officers' testimony at civil trial (witnesses); family attorney Jesse Forbes (family or their lawyers); family's civil lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued over his death, and the state agreed to a $1 million settlement during a civil trial.
Sources (4)
- Eleventh inmate dies this calendar year at a West Virginia regional jail
- Settlement reached for inmate death at North Central Regional Jail
- West Virginia Association for Justice presents family of an inmate an award after five-year battle for his justice
- Family of inmate who died recognized for dedicated pursuit of justice