(Gray County, TX) - Chris Shouse died on June 21 of this year in the custody of the Gray County jail. His family received an autopsy last week that stated that the 45 year old was dehydrated, and the cause of death was acute methamphetamine intoxication due to illegal drug use. Shouse was taken to the Gray County jail earlier that evening after being arrested outside the grounds of the Pampa Regional Medical Center Emergency Room.
The family of Shouse has retained Civil Rights Attorney Martin Weinberg to represent them as it relates to a potential wrongful death action against Gray County. Weinberg said of this tragedy, “At this point we believe that Chris did not receive any medical care at the jail despite obvious signs that he was in distress and suffering.”
As Weinberg and family members continue to look into the facts surrounding the death of Chris, they will be available for media interviews.
“The jail staff was indifferent to his medical needs and this death could have been prevented with medical attention shortly after Chris arrived at the jail. The plan seemed to simply be for Chris to ‘sober up’, Weinberg added.
According to a Texas Commission in Jail Standards inspection in 2020, the Gray County jail failed and was determined to be non-compliant.
“It is clear as day in this case that Chris Shouse should have been immediately taken back to the hospital if the jail does not provide medical services. Chris had a history of addiction, but he was beloved by his family and many friends. He had been doing quite well and looking forward to many good years ahead of him with his family. The family deserves answers and the Gray County Sheriff’s Department should be held accountable. This cannot happen again,” Weinberg said.
About Martin Weinberg: Weinberg is a civil rights attorney based out of Alabama known for his work representing the family of Jeffery Parker who was killed by former Huntsville Police Officer William Darby. Darby was convicted of murder this year and recently sentenced to 25 years in jail for murder. Weinberg also currently represents families of other loved ones who have died in police custody or been seriously injured as a result of police misconduct.
