Medical examiner rules death of Greene County inmate as accidental

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - The Greene County medical examiner ruled the death of a Greene County inmate in March as accidental.

Darrell Thorne, 53, died on March 15, five days after an incident inside the Greene County Jail. The medical examiner ruled he died of asphyxiation by forcible restraint, methamphetamine use, and heart disease. The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office is now assessing the case.

Springfield police arrested Thorne for trespassing. While officers with SPD were taking him to the Greene County Jail, authorities say Thorne was being combative and kicked out the patrol car window and tried to escape. Greene County jailers then utilized a restraint chair to calm Thorne. Investigators say he began showing signs of an overdose. Jailers used Narcan and CPR to keep him alive.

Emergency crews rushed him to a Springfield hospital. He later died.

The Critical Incident Team, which includes sheriffs from Christian, Lawrence, and Webster Counties, investigated the incident. Eight Greene County jailers will remain on administrative leave until the investigation is closed.

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