Nevada Inmate Dies After Being Pepper-Sprayed and Held Face Down; Homicide Ruling

In Nevada, a prisoner named Patrick Odale died on December 28, 2023, after undergoing a series of distressing encounters with prison guards. An autopsy report that was obtained by the Associated Press has classified his death as a homicide, revealing that he was pepper-sprayed, restrained, and placed face down on the ground.

The report, which came to completion in late August, following a nearly nine-month investigation by the Clark County coroner’s office, confirms that Odale, who was 39 at the time of his death, succumbed to “positional and mechanical asphyxia in the setting of law enforcement restraint.” This means that his position, while being restrained, hindered his ability to breathe properly.

Michael Freeman, a forensic pathology expert from Oregon, noted that mechanical and positional asphyxia typically occurs when an individual is held face down with their hands restrained behind their back. In such cases, the pressure exerted on the torso, arms, or neck can lead to fatal consequences.

Furthermore, toxicology tests revealed that Odale had low levels of methamphetamine and xylazine, an animal sedative, in his system. The coroner’s office indicated that these substances played a significant role in his death, referring to them as “major contributors.”

When his death was first reported by the Nevada Department of Corrections in January, they did not disclose any specific details, including the circumstances surrounding his restraint. As the investigation remains active, officials have refrained from commenting on the findings detailed in the autopsy report. A spokesperson for the state Attorney General’s office also declined to provide additional information.

Details about how many correctional officers were involved in the incident have not been disclosed, nor has any information been made available regarding disciplinary actions against staff members or how Odale may have accessed drugs while incarcerated. Officials at Southern Desert Correctional Center have acknowledged that contraband is an ongoing issue within the facility.

In an earlier crackdown on contraband, a corrections officer was arrested in May for allegedly smuggling various items, including cigarettes and electronic devices into the prison.

Odale was a father to two children and had been sentenced earlier in 2023 to up to two years in prison following charges related to possessing a stolen credit card and attempting to carry a concealed weapon.

On the night that led to Odale’s tragic death, guards described him as “erratic and growling.” After pepper-spraying him, they confined him in a storage area filled with equipment for several minutes. As he began to thrash around, officers restrained him and transported him to the prison infirmary.

During the medical intervention, prison staff administered Narcan multiple times in an effort to reverse what appeared to be an overdose. However, as the coroner’s investigation unfolded, it became clear that there were discrepancies in the video footage of the incident. The video shows Odale groaning while being taken to the infirmary in a prone position, with hands shackled behind his back.

A noted gap in the footage raises questions. After this gap, the next segment of video shows prison staff performing CPR on an unresponsive Odale, who had reportedly been turned over to a face-up position with hands now in front of his body.

Ultimately, the medical examiner concluded that Odale’s death was a consequence of being restrained in a manner that obstructed his ability to breathe, compounded by the effects of drugs present in his system.

Amy Estrada, the mother of Odale’s children, expressed her sorrow, describing him as a kind-hearted individual and loving father who was always willing to help others in need. Just three days prior to his passing, she received approval to visit him, with Odale excitedly sharing with his children over the phone that they would finally get to see each other. Sadly, they never had the chance to visit before he died.

Source: Associated Press