D.A.: Inmate's Death Was Suicide

September 15, 2005

The death of an inmate housed at the Oneida Police Department last month has been officially ruled a suicide.

As reported in a previous edition of the Independent Herald, officers suspected suicide after Christopher B. Sexton was found dead in his cell at the OPD’s facility on August 16.

On Friday, District Attorney General William Paul Phillips released a statement saying that an investigation into Sexton’s death has been ruled a suicide following the completion of an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The TBI investigation was requested by the D.A.’s office as standard procedure, and was also requested by Oneida Police Chief Mike Cross.

The release issued by Phillips stated that Sexton hanged himself in his cell, using a shirt that he owned and that had been tied to an air vent in the ceiling of his cell.

Sexton had been arrested by OPD officers on charges of theft over $1,000 and resisting arrest. He had been booked into the facility at 2 a.m. on the morning of August 16. Cross stated at the time that he had “no idea whatsoever” what had led Sexton to take his life.

Phillips’ release stated that “all police personnel who had contact with Sexton during his incarceration have been interviewed. The events leading to his arrest, and the arrest itself, have been scrutinized.”

The release went on to state that the University of Tennessee Forensic Center had conducted an autopsy that revealed that the injuries sustained by Sexton were consistent with a suicidal hanging.

“There is no indication or evidence to support any other theory regarding Sexton’s death,” the report concluded.

The TBI’s investigation was conducted by Special Agent Steve Vinsant.

newsroom@ihoneida.com

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