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Jan. 27--The mother of a man who died in the Brunswick County, N.C., jail in 2008 has filed suit against the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, court records show.
Beverly Vaught filed the lawsuit Friday against Brunswick County Sheriff John Williams Ingram and other sheriff's deputies in their official capacity in U.S. District Court.
Vaught's son, Senaca Marrell Vaught, 32, of Calabash, died Jan. 23, 2008 after becoming combative with two sheriff's deputies. The more than 600-pound man was charged with attacking his mother on Christmas Day.
The suit claims "wrongful death" of Vaught, who was a paranoid schizophrenic, according to the complaint, and that Vaught was being held at the jail on a misdemeanor charge despite two separate court orders requiring his release.
The suit also claims that Vaught "had not received all prescribed medications and, upon information and belief, was in a delusional and agitated state."
In April 2008, Brunswick County District Attorney Rex Gore cleared the Brunswick County jailers in Vaught's death, stating the officers did not use excessive force.
Gore said Vaught had been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and he had refused his medication "for several days prior to the incident."
Brunswick County officials could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
Despite Vaught's condition, the suit states employees of the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office removed Vaught from his cell, resulting in an unnecessary altercation. And it says that Vaught, who also suffered from physical limitations due to his morbid obesity, was tackled, placed in a choke-hold, and positioned face down on the segregation hallway floor, where he was, contrary to a standing order, repeatedly pepper-sprayed in the face.
When it became apparent that Vaught was having difficulty breathing and was in acute distress, sheriff's deputies and an on-duty licensed practical nurse failed to provide him with any emergency medical attention, the suit states.
Jail officials could not revive him, Hewett said then.
Beverly Vaught is seeking more than $75,000 in damages, attorneys' fees, and any other costs or expenses incurred.
Contact JANELLE FROST at 443-2404
