The widow of a former inmate at Midland County Jail for the death of her husband two days after a confrontation with officers. The attorney for Marden's estate believe that his death was caused by the treatment he received from the officers.
The widow of the former Midland County Jail inmate, Jack Marden, filed a federal lawsuit last December 31, 2015 in the US District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan. The case was filed against the Midland County and six corrections officers who were allegedly showed excessive violence in the confrontation with Marden that lead to his death.
The alleged violent incident happened on February 11 when Marden became agitated when examined by two mental health workers. According to ABC 12, officers were called in to get him out of his cell and to transfer him to the hospital for observations.
According to the incident report obtained by M Live, corrections officer Jeffrey Derocher, and members of the Corrections Emergency Response Team, Richard Speich, Brian Keidel, Bryan Kryzanowicz, Joshua Saylor as well as Captain Rich Harnois who filmed the incident entered the cell.
The officers took Marden to the floor where in he kept on resisting against the officers. Marden continued to resist and grabbed Derocher's microphone and shouted "help" and "emergency". Derocher said that he gave two strikes on Marden's hand in order for him to let go of the microphone.
Marden then allegedly try to bite Derocher's finger, but his teeth slipped. The officers then tried to apply "pressure point control tactics" on Marden's mandible but the resistance continued. Marden eventually reached up, grabbed and twisted Derocher's testicles which caused intense pain.
Derocher said he ordered the inmate to let go of him, and " delivered 3-4 strikes to his right jaw area,". He eventually gave one or two more strikes, and repositioned Marden's shin on top of his arms to stop the resistance.
According to The Guardian, a deputy saw that Marden begun to manipulate his mouth as if he intended to spit, and so a spit hood was placed over his face. The inmate was requested to relax, but he eventually complained that he can't breathe and Derocher immediately requested for a nurse.
The resistance continued and he was eventually placed on a restraint chair. Marden had a history of severe depression and coronary heart disease. After the incident, Marden suffered acute respiratory failure which caused his death two days later, in February 13.
The inmates widow, Sharyl Marden, filed a lawsuit against officer Derocher, the CERT members, Cpt. Harnois and the Midland County. The lawsuit seeks for more than $75,000 of financial damages.
