Inmate dies after seizure at county jail

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Inmate dies after seizure at county jail

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Staff Writer

in Public Safety

Monday, March 9. 2009

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A Madison County inmate died Tuesday afternoon after suffering a seizure Sunday night at the Madison County Jail.

Walter Alan Pickles, Jr., 36, Hull, was transported to Athens Regional Medical Center after suffering a seizure shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday. He was later transported to the intensive care unit at Emory University Hospital.

Pickles had a history of seizures and was on medication for that condition, according to Madison County Sheriff Kip Thomas.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Agent Jim Fullington said the Madison County Sheriff’s Office requested that the GBI investigate the incident.

“There is no indication of any foul play,” said Fullington Tuesday afternoon.

Pickles was being held in the county jail for probation violation. His original charges were speeding and driving while unlicensed.

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#1 Mary on 03/09/09 at 05:26 PM

Why would the GBI need to investigate an inmate having a seizure in the Jail? There must be more to the story.

#1.1 Anonymous on 03/10/09 at 05:48 PM

All inmate deaths that occur while incarcerated are investigated by the GBI

#1.1.1 GB on 03/11/09 at 06:25 AM

My comment about this unfortunate situation is related to all of the persons who have been incarcerated in any facilty. If you have had the opportunity to have a friend or family member incarcerated for any reason you quickly find out that they serve their time and then no one helps them to obtain resources to help them stay out of jail. It is almost impossible for a convicted felon to get a job. The probation officiers don't do anything to help. The county expects these people to pay fines and report to the probation office. If you don't drive and can't find a job, that task alone is almost impossible. So what do they have to do? Sell dope, steal property, drive without a license, and so the cycle repeats itself. Madison county probation officers do not even have a list of companies/individuals who might give these people a chance to do honest labor. But the citizens of Madison county will work illegal aliens. Another problem is,Madison county does not have a full time (24/7)nurse with the adequate experience to assess patients. An experienced nurse could take accurate medical histories, notify a physician on-call to prevent medical complications, such as this seizure episode. Not all medical problems can wait until the nurse comes in after lunch. While in Madison county, inmates don't receive any type of counseling while they are serving their sentences. Why not at least help some of these people get a GED and some drug and alcohol counseling. Why not have AA or NA meetings available? They are free. It would save the county thousands of dollars if they would spend a few dollars on repeat crime prevention. Other wise we all will keep having our property stolen by drug seekers. Give these people a hand up and you might be surprised what might happen.

#1.1.2 Jess on 03/11/09 at 09:01 AM

They didn't know he was going to doe when they called in the GBI

#1.2 Anonymous on 03/10/09 at 08:56 PM

The first artical didn't say he died it said he had a seizure, I certainly dont think the GBI is called in to investigate an inmate having a seizure after all its not a crime. If so they better beef up the force inmates are transported from local jails for various medical conditions everyday.I would say the new Sheriff knew more than he was telling,hence I say again theres more to the story.I dont doubt any foul play is suspected the question is could the incident have been prevented?

#1.3 Anonymous on 03/11/09 at 12:52 PM

No one is laying blame in this situation. The family is already paying for his hospital and funeral costs. I just wish people would learn the facts about a person before they judge them.

#2 Comer Resident on 03/10/09 at 06:12 AM

Did the Sheriff's office know of this condition and were they giving him the proper Medication for it? If not then they should be held responsible. If he were to die his family could sue the sheriff's office for neglect if he told them of his problem and they did nothing?

#2.1 Anonymous on 03/10/09 at 05:53 PM

DID YOU READ THE ARTICLE? He was on the meds that he was taking at home for this disorder!!

#3 Jess on 03/10/09 at 09:49 AM

Well another score in the column of the new administration! Medical history and being treated for seizures? This guy was in on a misdemeanor probation violation. Now we have an ICU bill to pick up. Bravo

#3.1 Robert Lee on 03/10/09 at 06:16 PM

I suppose everyone with a medical history and on medications should not be arrested or detained for breaking the law???? do you not realize most incarcerated people are generally unhealthy due to LIFE STYLE CHOICES??? This is common sense.

#4 Anonymous on 03/10/09 at 10:51 AM

The criminal, and only the criminal, is responsible for what has happened. If he had not broken the law, he would not be in jail. The choice was his. He chose to break the law. Now he is suffering the consequences of his actions.

#4.1 JJ on 03/10/09 at 01:04 PM

He was for whatever reason arrested for probation violation, however when human beings are in the custody of the county jail, we the tax payers and employees are the ones that pay the consequences for this type of incident. Kind of like being a babysitter he was in the care of someone else and the question is and will be did we provide proper procedures! Don't say that the criminal and only the criminal is responsible until investigation has been complete!

#4.2 Anonymous on 03/10/09 at 09:42 PM

DEATH???

#4.3 AL,S SISTER on 03/10/09 at 10:07 PM

SO HE LOST HIS JOB AND COULDN'T PAY HIS FINE SO HIM SUFFERING THE CONSQUENCES IS HIS DEATH???

#4.4 ALAN'S SISTER on 03/10/09 at 10:23 PM

READ ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS THE ONE WHO SAID HE WAS SUFFERING FOR HIS ACTIONS WHAT HIS DEATH??MY BROTHER WAS A WONDERFUL BROTHER AND HE DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE, BUT HIS DEATH WILL SAVE OTHERS LIVES:)

#5 Robert Lee on 03/10/09 at 06:13 PM

The GBI investigate any death that occurs
when someone is incarcerated. Also, did any of you actually read the article? He was getting his meds, i'm sure the autopsy will confirm, also i'm sure there is documentation. I think the new administration is doing a good job, give them a chance, if you remember, there were a couple of deaths from the previous administration also.

#5.1 anonymous on 03/10/09 at 09:10 PM

Robert I only recall one inmate death in the previous administration could you refresh my memory?

#6 Anon on 03/10/09 at 08:31 PM

Who cares what happened in the previous administration? That's not the issue at hand and if people would stop making comparisons to the two we might actually be on subject with what is really going on. I'm more concerned with why this man died and the fact that now the county does have to pick up his bill. It's a sad day when someone passes anyways but even worse when the county could be held responsible so lets not make any judgements based on information we don't really even have yet.

And Robert Lee this guy was in jail for violating probation on two non violent crimes. Your a little harsh. Did you actually read the article? To say most individuals in jail are unhealthy is making yet another assumption about things we don't know. If his death could have been prevented in anyway I for one would like to know.

#6.1 Robert Lee on 03/10/09 at 09:01 PM

Well Anon, i don't think i am being harsh about anything, i'm sure everything will come out, but the fact is, most people who are incarcerated are unhealthy for obvious reasons. And by the way---i'm sure your name is not really ANON!!!

#6.2 Robert Lee on 03/11/09 at 05:02 AM

Maybe you misunderstood where i am going with this: I'm sure we will find out why this man died. I was only stating FACT, there has been deaths during both administrations---there are deaths that occur in all jails, i was only stating this is a common thing and GBI has to investigate. ALSO, it doesn't really matter what the crime is, is a warrant is issued, they have to arrest the person. What if he had a wreck and killed someone, then the issue would be "WELL HE HAD A WARRANT, HE SHOULDN"T HAE BEEN ON THE STREET." sometimes you just cant win.AND from someone who has worked in the field, most inmates ARE unhealthy due to lifestyle choices0---THAT is a fact, not an assumtion.

#6.3 Anonymous on 03/11/09 at 05:09 AM

JUDGEMENTS? I'm sorry, but is that not what you are doing? Mr. Lee was only stating facts. How do you know who's paying for what, and that the county is responsible for his death, THIS IS INFORMATION THAT YOU DONT HAVE YET. I think everyone should wait a minute to see what the GBI has to say when the investigation is completed before pointing fingers.

#7 John on 03/10/09 at 09:23 PM

This is only the beginning our new Sheriff doesn't have a clue how to run a jail. It's gona be a long four years!

#8 Anonymous on 03/11/09 at 12:00 AM

Just goes to show - crime doesn't pay. If this guy had not made the choice of committing crimes, he would probably be alive today.

#9 nicole diilard on 03/11/09 at 04:19 AM

what is up with the police today that is why i am goin to school in Criminal justice to help these cop out cause i don't believe they know what they are doing

#10 Comer Resident on 03/11/09 at 05:53 AM

Yes I read the article and it didn't say wether the jail was giving him his medication,it said he was on medication for his condition. It didn't say that they were giving them to him? I guess we'll see when the autopsy results come back

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