VA - John McCloskey, 18, Staunton, 18 Dec 1994

http://www.dartcenter.org/dartaward/2000/winner/01.html

The link is to an article, digging into the horrid death of a young man who suffered from bi-polar disorder and was arrested by deputies in Rockbridge County, VA for creating a scene at a local convenience store. Shortly after he was admitted into Western State Psychiatric hospital. Sometime between Dec 15 and 18th John had been beated and or raped anally to cause serious internal injuries that later led to his death over a year later. Marcella Fierro has been involved in the case regarding autopsy among many other people.
It seems to come down to a lot of finger pointing between Western State Psychiatric hospital and other agencies. Despite numerous investigations and inquiries this case has still not yet been solved.

It's a lot of reading, and sad to see that this poor family has not yet had closure for the death of their son.
IMO i think Western State is responsible at the least for allowing conditions to permit an incident leading to the death of this young man.

What a mess.

I wish Davis all the luck in the world. Even if it was ever determined that McCloskey was injured at Western State the hospital's management will claim that it wasn't noticed because they're understaffed and it's the state's fault, and citizens can't sue the state, they can only go after corporations amd individuals.

I don't think it's right that state agents investigate each other but the idea of creating a state agency that would investigate litigious matters involving the state police is sort of ridiculous, it would only mean more state agents investigating each other.

Virginia Settles Lawsuit With Beating Victim's Family
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
July 7, 2003

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA--Last Tuesday, the state announced that it has settled a lawsuit with the family of a man who suffered a fatal beating while in solitary confinement at a Virginia psychiatric facility.

In December 1994, John McCloskey was committed to Western State Hospital in Staunton and placed in solitary confinement after being arrested on charges of indecent exposure.

Three days later the 18-year-old was found beaten in his cell. Doctors at a nearby hospital found that he had massive abdominal injuries, including a ruptured bowel.

McCloskey was in a semi-conscious state of agony until he eventually died of the wounds in February 1996 -- 14 months after the attack.

Even though a medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, no arrests have been made. McCloskey's family believed Western State and its director were responsible for the death, because the teen was beaten by an employee or another patient that was not supervised properly.

The family filed the suit seeking $10 million. The amount and other details of the settlement agreement were not made public.

The state denied any liability or wrongdoing in the case.

Officials still do not know who assaulted McCloskey, who reportedly had "mental problems", but some investigators focused on the officers that brought him into the hospital after his initial arrest.

Related article:
"Family, hospital settle suit in slaying" (Roanoke Times)
http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/news/story151824.html

LINK:
Virginia Settles Lawsuit With Beating Victim's Family (July 7, 2003)