Kansas Inmate’s Death Ruled Homicide After Jail Encounter

The death of a 50-year-old inmate, Charles Adair, at the Wyandotte County Detention Centre in Kansas City has been ruled a homicide following a struggle with jail staff. This ruling comes after Adair died on July 5, 2023, one day after his arrest on multiple misdemeanour warrants related to traffic violations.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), an autopsy report concluded that Adair’s death was caused by complications from “mechanical asphyxia,” a condition that occurs when airflow is obstructed. The report did not provide specific details on how breathing was obstructed, but potential causes can include physical force or the position of the body, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic. The autopsy also identified cardiovascular disease and cirrhosis due to chronic alcoholism as contributing factors to Adair’s death.

Investigation and Circumstances Surrounding Death

Following the autopsy findings, the KBI has referred the case to the Wyandotte County prosecutor’s office to determine whether charges will be filed against the involved staff. A spokesperson from the prosecutor’s office did not respond to inquiries from The Associated Press regarding the status of the case.

On the night of his death, Adair was treated in the detention centre’s infirmary for a preexisting leg wound. As staff attempted to return him to his cell, he reportedly became agitated, yelling and resisting. In response, sheriff’s deputies handcuffed him. After being placed in his lower bunk, Adair continued to resist as staff tried to remove the handcuffs. The KBI stated that deputies eventually “gained control” and left his cell after removing the restraints.

Just minutes later, medical personnel were called to evaluate Adair, who was found unresponsive. Despite efforts by emergency crews to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. At the time, the KBI indicated that there were no immediate signs of obvious injury.

Context and Previous Cases

The outcome of this case remains uncertain. The KBI’s investigation raises questions about the protocols followed during inmate restraint and the oversight of detention facilities. In a similar incident involving Cedric Lofton, a 17-year-old who died while restrained at a Wichita juvenile detention centre in 2021, no charges were filed. Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett attributed this decision to the state’s “stand-your-ground” law, which he argued protected staff members acting in self-defense.

Relatives of Charles Adair have not yet commented on the circumstances surrounding his death. As the investigation unfolds, the case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of inmates and the need for accountability within correctional facilities.