(Deming) – Luna County won a lawsuit filed three years ago on behalf of an inmate who died shortly after an altercation at the Luna County Detention Center.
A federal jury in Las Cruces Friday exonerated Luna County of all claims filed by attorney Charles Kretek, who acted as the personal representative of 24-year-old Christopher Aparicio.
The jury agreed with evidence presented by the county that Aparicio died as the result of cardiac arrest which was secondary to methamphetamine use associated with excited delirium syndrome.
County Manager Kelly Kuenstler said Aparicio came to the detention facility on March 3rd, 2011, intoxicated on meth and out of control.
County employees had difficulty subduing Aparicio. Once he was restrained, he was transported to Mimbres Memorial Hospital, but went into cardiac arrest en route.
Aparicio died several days later.
The lawsuit alleged Aparicio’s rights were violated by use of excessive force, deliberate indifference to serious medical needs and substantive due process.
The allegations also included a claim of battery under the New Mexico Tort Claims Act and a failure to train and supervise against the Luna County commissioners and then-warden John Krehbiel.
Four other county employees were named in the suit as well.
A federal jury in Las Cruces Friday exonerated Luna County of all claims filed by attorney Charles Kretek, who acted as the personal representative of 24-year-old Christopher Aparicio.
The jury agreed with evidence presented by the county that Aparicio died as the result of cardiac arrest which was secondary to methamphetamine use associated with excited delirium syndrome.
County Manager Kelly Kuenstler said Aparicio came to the detention facility on March 3rd, 2011, intoxicated on meth and out of control.
County employees had difficulty subduing Aparicio. Once he was restrained, he was transported to Mimbres Memorial Hospital, but went into cardiac arrest en route.
Aparicio died several days later.
The lawsuit alleged Aparicio’s rights were violated by use of excessive force, deliberate indifference to serious medical needs and substantive due process.
The allegations also included a claim of battery under the New Mexico Tort Claims Act and a failure to train and supervise against the Luna County commissioners and then-warden John Krehbiel.
Four other county employees were named in the suit as well.
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