Life Death Row Inmate Attempts Suicide Hours Before Execution. - Page 4

**Rain Man** · 03-09-2010, 07:02 PM

I like the twist on this. In order to avoid the death penalty, he tries to kill himself. But the prison intervenes to save him, even though he's scheduled to be executed within hours, and now he's alive beyond the execution date. So by trying to kill himself hours before he was supposed to be killed, he saved his own life, which he didn't want to do, but the government wanted to do, because the government wants him dead.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews

Ohio Death Row Inmate on Suicide Watch After Overdose
Tuesday, March 09, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Officials say an Ohio inmate who intentionally overdosed on pills hours before his scheduled execution has returned to prison and is on suicide watch.

Prisons spokeswoman Julie Walburn says 43-year-old Lawrence Reynolds Jr., who admitted taking an overdose of medication prescribed to him, arrived at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown shortly after noon on Tuesday.

Walburn says Reynolds is isolated from other inmates and under constant observation.

Reynolds was treated at a Youngstown hospital after he was found unconscious in his death row cell Sunday night.

The type of drug he used and why it was prescribed aren't being disclosed. How he accumulated the pills is under investigation.

Reynolds' execution for the 1994 murder of his neighbor near Akron has been rescheduled to next week.

verbaljitsu · 03-10-2010, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Actually, one of us has quite a bit of knowledge about the legal system inside prisons and knows that these cases happen all the time. I didn't google anything that I wrote.

Perhaps I'm underestimating your experience (and also probably overestimating mine some). I won't assume any more about your background.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Great, you were in courtroom 101. If you don't think prisons get sued for this regularly, you're wrong, and I don't see any way you can deny that. Like I said, the damages probably wouldn't be great, but it probably wouldn't go to court. I'm almost positive the state would cut his family a check.

This is where you are changing the subject. Of course prisons get sued regularly. The vast majority of those cases are dismissed almost immediately. That is the "joke" I was referring to. Occasionally, the prisoner wins.

THIS case is not like those other cases. This case has no damages. Even if the plaintiff is right about everything. There is no reason the prison would settle this case. This is exactly the kind of case they would HAVE to fight. This situation is hypothetical, and already Chiefsplanet has basically gotten hysterical over the idea of the not-even-real-so-it-doesn't-even-matter suit. Can you imagine the outrage that flare up over a settlement on this kind of case?

WoodDraw · 03-10-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

That an inmates family sued for damages?

Sued for damages for what? I just don't think you understand the issues before the court. They might sue, but they have to prove so much more than the person committed suicide.

Based on what I've read, there is no basis for suit. Failure to act based on credible information perhaps, but not on prevention.

blaise · 03-10-2010, 06:16 AM

[QUOTE=verbaljitsu;6591784]Perhaps I'm underestimating your experience (and also probably overestimating mine some). I won't assume any more about your background.

I deleted most of my post because I just don't want to keep debating something that didn't even happen, but I'll just say the family would probably sue, and if you think this would be the most ridiculous sounding case a prison settled you'd be wrong.

blaise · 03-10-2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodDraw

Sued for damages for what? I just don't think you understand the issues before the court. They might sue, but they have to prove so much more than the person committed suicide.

Based on what I've read, there is no basis for suit. Failure to act based on credible information perhaps, but not on prevention.

You asked me if I knew of a case. I asked you if you're asking me about inmate's families suing for damages. That happens all the time. I'm having a hard time understanding how you could possibly not get that.

Norman Einstein · 03-10-2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Glad he didn't die.
I could just see a "wrongful death" lawsuit coming from his family.
Posted via Mobile Device

OTOH there is probably more reality to your post than we would want to think.

NewChief · 03-10-2010, 06:27 AM

This completely reminds me of Catch-22, for those who have read it.

And Rain Man, if you've never read it.... that book would be right up your alley.

WWII and bizarre humor.

Quote:

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. 'Orr' was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.
"That's some catch, that Catch-22," Yossarian observed.
"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.

**Gonzo** · 03-10-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Einstein

OTOH there is probably more reality to your post than we would want to think.

Exactly...

However, it was made in passing, I didn't think it would lead to such a heated debate. Lol
Posted via Mobile Device

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2010, 06:49 AM

Smart play on his part. The state can't execute a man that isn't mentally sound. So, by attempting suicide, he side steps execution. Oh, and of course he didn't try to actually finish it because he admitted to overdosing on medication.

I worked in a jail, and you can't let anyone die, even if they are on death row. As someone pointed out above, you will be sued.

So, the guy was very clever in getting himself a stay of execution. I don't know how long it will last, but every extra minute is a minute he wouldn't have had otherwise.

beach tribe · 03-10-2010, 07:30 AM

Ha!! He tried to say "F U if anybody is going to take my life, it's gonna be ME!", And they said "Wrong"

**Dave Lane** · 03-10-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bane_58

Yep.

I love the stories or docudramas you see about guys being on death row for 10-25 years.

And the fact that 15 - 20% actually were found to be falsely accused

**Rain Man** · 03-10-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodDraw

I'm completely fascinated by how much people don't know how our legal system works. It's incredible.

This thread needs to go to DC though.

I'll kill this thread before it gets sent to DC. A mod would probably step in and restore it, though.

03-09-2010, 07:02 PM
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-442449 VARSITY	Death Row Inmate Attempts Suicide Hours Before Execution. I like the twist on this. In order to avoid the death penalty, he tries to kill himself. But the prison intervenes to save him, even though he's scheduled to be executed within hours, and now he's alive beyond the execution date. So by trying to kill himself hours before he was supposed to be killed, he saved his own life, which he didn't want to do, but the government wanted to do, because the government wants him dead. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews Ohio Death Row Inmate on Suicide Watch After Overdose Tuesday, March 09, 2010 COLUMBUS, Ohio — Officials say an Ohio inmate who intentionally overdosed on pills hours before his scheduled execution has returned to prison and is on suicide watch. Prisons spokeswoman Julie Walburn says 43-year-old Lawrence Reynolds Jr., who admitted taking an overdose of medication prescribed to him, arrived at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown shortly after noon on Tuesday. Walburn says Reynolds is isolated from other inmates and under constant observation. Reynolds was treated at a Youngstown hospital after he was found unconscious in his death row cell Sunday night. The type of drug he used and why it was prescribed aren't being disclosed. How he accumulated the pills is under investigation. Reynolds' execution for the 1994 murder of his neighbor near Akron has been rescheduled to next week.
Posts: 145,241

03-10-2010, 06:16 AM	#48
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	[QUOTE=verbaljitsu;6591784]Perhaps I'm underestimating your experience (and also probably overestimating mine some). I won't assume any more about your background. I deleted most of my post because I just don't want to keep debating something that didn't even happen, but I'll just say the family would probably sue, and if you think this would be the most ridiculous sounding case a prison settled you'd be wrong. Last edited by blaise; 03-10-2010 at 06:29 AM.. Reason: just because
Posts: 22,189

03-10-2010, 06:49 AM	#53
SenselessChiefsFan MVP Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $10005450	Smart play on his part. The state can't execute a man that isn't mentally sound. So, by attempting suicide, he side steps execution. Oh, and of course he didn't try to actually finish it because he admitted to overdosing on medication. I worked in a jail, and you can't let anyone die, even if they are on death row. As someone pointed out above, you will be sued. So, the guy was very clever in getting himself a stay of execution. I don't know how long it will last, but every extra minute is a minute he wouldn't have had otherwise.
Posts: 5,540

03-10-2010, 07:30 AM	#54
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $4018036	Ha!! He tried to say "F U if anybody is going to take my life, it's gonna be ME!", And they said "Wrong"
Posts: 21,429