Man jailed for months over $5 theft found dead in cell

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Man Jailed For Months Over $5 Theft Found Dead In Cell
Man Jailed For Months Over $5 Theft Found Dead In Cell


A family wants answers about how their son died in jail.

Last week, 24-year-old Jamycheal Mitchell was found dead in his jail cell at Hampton Roads Regional Jail in Virginia. According to court documents, he was arrested in April for stealing $5 worth of items from a 7-Eleven and denied bail.

%shareLinks-quote="It's obvious that he did not receive the help that he needed and that's the main issue." type="quote" author="Family's attorney" authordesc="" isquoteoftheday="false"%

Autopsy results are still pending but the master jail officer says Mitchell's death was caused by "natural causes" and there was no sign of injury to his body. His family's attorney told WAVY that Mitchell struggled with mental illness and the family suspects he didn't receive the help he needed.

"I think it's two fold. It's the death of her son obviously but it's also the circumstance surrounding his death. It's obvious that he did not receive the help that he needed and that's the main issue."

Medics at the jail say Mitchell refused to take his medication and officials also confirmed he refused to eat. The Guardian reports Mitchell was supposed to be transferred to a mental health hospital for treatment, but there was no room for him.

Prosecutors are seeking an indictment in the case.



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