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Truth in Justice

     Are the Powers of Authority in the State of Washington equals in the training to recognize, assist and help citizens with conditions of the mind as other states in the Nation?

     Should an assessment be done within State and County Authoritative services to determine the level of their qualification?

     Many allegations have sprung up recently.  But that's neither here nor there; is all that needs to be done, getting done?  Is there adequate EMS training given to all employees?  Are background checks on inmates and employees, alike, done thoroughly to eradicate any possible incidents before they can happen?

Truth in Justice,  is not a vigilante organization; but a "what's right" query.  If some departments in some states have "Better training and staffing and knowledge in handling all kinds of personalities in their inmates and victims; why doesn't Asotin County... and don't say "we don't have enough operating capital".  Because, State of Washington, of what value do you place on each citizen of your state?  And is our money being well spent?  

Cause of death in Shaw case is confirmed

May 26, 2006
By KERRI SANDAINE
of the Tribune

Arrhythmia caused an Asotin County Jail inmate's heart to stop beating, according to the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office.

Initial findings in the death of Tyler M. Shaw, a 19-year-old Asotin man, were confirmed Thursday.

Arrhythmia is a disturbance in the normal heart rate and electrical rhythm that can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death.

The autopsy for Shaw, who died Nov. 25, was performed in Spokane. Arrhythmia is listed as the cause of his death, said Theresa Giannetto, staff assistant at the Spokane County Medical Examiner's office.

But this is just one piece of the puzzle, Giannetto said. The final cause and manner of death will be determined by the Asotin County coroner, Ben Nichols, based on the complete investigation and other reports.

Giannetto said there are several categories to consider when determining the manner of death, including suicide, accident, homicide, natural causes, undetermined and pending.

Shaw's parents, Jay and Laurette Shaw of Asotin, have been waiting six months to find out what caused their son's death. They still haven't received an autopsy report, which was sent to Asotin County and then forwarded to the Washington State Attorney General's Office.

Jay Shaw said Thursday his son had no history of heart problems. Tyler suffered from a bipolar disorder, but was physically healthy, he said.

The Shaws believe their son was shocked with a Taser and placed in a restraint chair while in custody. Officials have said he died as police officers and jailers attempted to restrain him from harming himself.

The family is waiting to find out whether the use of electronic stun guns, known as Tasers, played a role in their son's death.

"The county has not denied Tasering him, but the question is how many times," Jay Shaw said. "We hope to have all the answers soon."

More than 140 people have died in the U.S. and Canada after being shocked by police with a Taser since 1999, according to an investigation earlier this year by the Arizona Republic newspaper.

Under Washington state law, the family is entitled to a copy of the report, and the cause and manner of death is generally considered public information, according to the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office.

Nichols said he has not made any determinations in the case, and the autopsy report has been sent to Brian Moran, an assistant attorney general overseeing the Shaw case.

When Moran completes his investigation, the entire Shaw file will be sent to Asotin County. At that time, Nichols said he most likely will refer the matter to another coroner to remove any potential conflict of interest.

Activists need to collect more than horror stories

Tom Henderson
Published: Lewiston Tribune 2006-01-14
Page: 4A

To hear former inmates tell it, the Asotin County Jail is a chamber of horrors guarded by sadistic goons who torture defenseless prisoners for kicks.

Of course, they could be lying.

People who have run afoul of the law have a tendency to do that. They have an obvious beef against the system.

When someone comes shopping for horror stories, it provides a convenient way to stick it to the man.

Does that mean their tales should be ignored?

Definitely not. Asotin County Sheriff Wayne Weber -- and anyone with the power to incarcerate -- needs to take complaints seriously. As long as any jail system is staffed by human beings, there's a potential for rogue sadists and bullies.

That's as true in Asotin County as it is at Guantanamo Bay.

If abuse exists, is it the result of policy or a handful of mad dogs in uniform?

Weber too blithely dismisses all the possibilities. "These are false allegations coming from prisoners who lost their freedom because of the crimes they committed," he says.

Quite likely. However, in our system, even criminals and alleged criminals have a right to be heard and their charges considered.

It would help if Truth in Justice -- community volunteers collecting inmates' stories -- would do more than gather anecdotal evidence. There needs to be corroboration.

Two or more witnesses need to share the same details without knowing what the other people have said. That would provide Truth in Justice the evidence needed to affect genuine change.

All volunteers can do so far is put Weber and other sheriff's office personnel on the defensive.

There are obviously issues with the jail. Investigators for the Washington State Police are investigating the jail following the death of Tyler Shaw, a 19-year-old inmate, Nov. 25.

County Commissioner R.E. (Buck) Lane wasn't impressed with the jail during a recent tour. "It's a filthy mess," he says.

A number of people -- some with titles and authority -- are taking a hard look at the Asotin County Jail. The work of Truth in Justice can help with that process.

First, however, volunteers must focus their efforts and build a case based on evidence and corroborated testimony.

All they have now are stories. -- T.H.

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Group seeks better treatment of inmates

Truth in Justice is formed by citizens after death of incarcerated 19-year-old

Kerri Sandaine
Published: Lewiston Tribune 2006-01-13
Page: 1C

No one listens to inmates, says Penny Arias of Clarkston, and no one seems to believe them when they talk about being abused in jail.

She and other concerned citizens have banded together to give prisoners a voice. The result is Truth in Justice, a grassroots movement aimed at making some changes in the criminal justice system and the way inmates are treated.

"We wanted to give people a chance to tell their story about how they were treated in the Asotin County Jail," Arias says. "Some friends and family members got together and, with donations, we opened a post office box for Truth in Justice."

Arias is the aunt of Tyler M. Shaw, who died Nov. 25 while incarcerated at the Asotin County Jail. His death is under investigation by the Washington State Patrol. No official reports have been released, and it could be several weeks before the state Attorney General's Office comes to any conclusions.

Law enforcement officials have said the 19-year-old Asotin man died as officers attempted to restrain him following an alleged self-destructive fit.

After Shaw's death, Arias says the family began hearing reports of excessive use of electric stun guns, known as Tasers, and pepper spray at the jail. But she believes the inmates' complaints are not taken seriously and rarely addressed because law enforcement officials don't believe them.

"The inmates' stories aren't told. It doesn't make them any less of a citizen because they are incarcerated. They are still human and still citizens."

And inmates shouldn't be judged because of their education level and employment status, she adds.

Since the Clarkston post office box opened, Truth in Justice has received about 20 letters, numerous phone calls and about $650 that went to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, Arias says.

The money is intended to help inmates who suffer from mental illness. Shaw was bipolar, and his family believes the jail staff wasn't adequately trained to deal with mental health problems.

"We've had a big response," Arias says. "One woman said she was maced for crying and told to shut up."

The letters are sent to the Maxey law office in Spokane, which represents the Shaws, and are then forwarded to the Center for Justice, a nonprofit law firm in Spokane.

After reading and hearing allegations from people who have been locked up, Arias says she has come to the conclusion some of the jailers are "Taser happy and mace happy."

"I feel there needs to be more training to be more humane," she says.

Asotin County Sheriff Wayne Weber says his jailers are properly trained in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Washington State Criminal Justice Commission.

"These are false allegations coming from prisoners who lost their freedom because of the crimes they committed and the charges brought against them," Weber says.

"I have the most caring people working for me. They are not abusive. This isn't Alcatraz."

"There are good officers," Arias says "but why are they turning a blind eye to the ones who aren't? They know what's going on, but they don't stand up. As a community, we need to stand up and stop this."

Most folks are not even aware of what happens inside a jail, unless they've had a family member in there, she says.

"I've never been in trouble with the law. I have a son who has been incarcerated and he preferred to go to prison rather than stay in the Asotin County Jail."

Another issue the group wants to delve into is the bond amounts handed down in Asotin County Superior Court. "How do they justify all these $100,000 bonds?" Arias asks. "How can you bail someone out when those kinds of bonds are set?"

The criminal justice system needs an overhaul, according to letters written in support of Truth in Justice.

Meanwhile, Shaw's parents, Jay and Laurette Shaw of Asotin, are waiting for answers and dealing with the loss of their son.

Laurette Shaw says they haven't seen any toxicology or autopsy reports, but they may get some information soon. "We have been told those reports are complete and our lawyer's physician will be looking at them this week."

The family has a right to a copy of the autopsy report, says Brian Moran, chief criminal prosecutor for the Washington state Attorney General's Office.

"I haven't received a report and don't have a time frame when I'll receive it," Moran says. "The wait is not unusual. The state is testing equipment, mapping out diagrams, and going over interviews."

Once the state patrol hands over the results of its jail death investigation, Moran says he may end up asking for more information.

"We have no idea what the mechanism or the means of this death are, but we are treating it very seriously and we are asking for a thorough investigation."

Possible outcomes of the investigation are the filing of criminal charges, the determination it was a justified homicide with no charges filed, or it may turn out to be natural causes, Moran says.

"It's been so hard because we haven't had any closure," Shaw says. "We still have Tyler's body in refrigeration, because we haven't been able to get any results or reports yet."

"We are thankful for everyone's prayers and letters of encouragement," she adds. "We have gotten support from the community."

The family, however, is upset because a memorial in front of the jail was taken down by a law enforcement officer, Arias says. The cross is now displayed on 13th Street where Steve Scaggs of the Community on Call program plans to build transitional housing for people released from jail.

"People judge Tyler because of his mental issues," Arias says. "He didn't deserve to die. This was the saddest thing that could ever happen. I see my sister's and brother-in-law's pain everyday."

Arias says some people stop talking when the Shaws come in the room because "they don't know what to say. They don't know what really happened, and they believe what the police say in the paper. I wish they would stop and talk and listen to more than what the law says."

The family is glad to hear there will be health inspections at the jail on a regular basis and more people are getting medical treatment, but they believe Shaw paid the ultimate price for those changes.

"We're not out to be vindictive," Arias says. "We want justice. We want the truth to come out. It's just sad Tyler had to die for this to happen."

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Sandaine may be contacted at kerris@lmtribune.com or at (208) 743-9600, ext. 264. 

Asotin County sheriff lashes out over jail conditions

Wayne Weber says county commission to blame for problems

Kerri Sandaine
Published: Lewiston Tribune 2005-12-15
Page: 1A

ASOTIN -- The Asotin County sheriff said he's sick of his department being blamed for recent problems at the jail.

"It's the commissioners' fault we don't have staffing in the jail," Sheriff Wayne Weber told the Tribune Wednesday.

"They need to be held accountable for what goes on there. They never take the blame for anything."

Weber said he decided it was time to speak out after the jail commander received a letter Wednesday that said the recent death of an inmate was "on his head."

In addition, the sheriff said people are calling officers' kids and telling them the inmate's death is their dads' fault.

"I've had enough," an angry Weber said. "I'm tired of my people being blamed because they don't have adequate help. Back in June, I told the commissioners someone was going to die in that jail because it was understaffed."

Tyler M. Shaw, a 19-year-old Asotin man, died Nov. 25 while incarcerated at the Asotin County Jail. His death is being investigated by the Washington State Patrol and no findings have been released.

"I don't want to fight with the sheriff," said Commissioner R.E. (Buck) Lane, "but if he's going to throw the blame on us, I will say it's time for him to step up to the plate and manage the department the way it needs to be managed."

"They cut my throat," Weber said of the commissioners. "You can't run a jail without manpower. The reason we're having problems in our jail is because we don't have adequate staffing levels to safely run that jail."

Lane said the commissioners have given Weber permission to hire more jailers but some positions remain unfilled.

"It takes time to hire people and get them trained," Weber countered.

The commissioners inspected the jail Tuesday, Lane said, after an inmate told them food was being served by people with open sores and the cells were in unsanitary conditions.

"We wanted to see if he was telling the truth," Lane said. "We saw toilet paper on the ceilings and in the air vents. It's a filthy mess."

Weber said the jail is cleaned on a regular basis. "It's hard to keep inmates from making a mess in their cells," he said.

An inmate at the jail has been isolated for several days because of a staph infection, and the jail commander is on sick leave with a strain of the same infection, Weber said.

Two inmates were placed in isolation last week because they had open sores, the sheriff said, but only one case of staph infection was confirmed among the prison population.

"The commander was working the floor when he was infected," Weber said. "We didn't have enough corrections officers to work the floor because we're so understaffed."

Conditions known as staph infections are caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus. When the skin is punctured or broken, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause infections, which can lead to other health problems.

Norma Nave, administrator of the Asotin County Health Department, said the jail was inspected by health department officials Tuesday night, but a report has not been finalized.

"Four of us went through the facility and it is just atrocious," Lane said. "It's not from staffing. They've got trustees who could help. The hallways and cells could be cleaned, and it's not being done. Every one of those cells should be washed down with bleach."

Weber said the jail's problems could have been avoided if the commissioners would have dedicated the sales tax to law and justice on the November ballot. "It would have passed," he said.

Lane disagrees. "We could have dedicated it, but I don't think it would have passed," he said. "We ran the sales tax levy on the ballot with more than 70 percent of the revenue going to law and justice, and we saw how the voters reacted. The sheriff is just trying to pass the buck to the commissioners, saying it's all our fault."

Weber said the commissioners simply don't support his department.

"They still cut my budget for next year, even after all that's happened," Weber said.

"If the commissioners are not going to give me the funding to run the jail, maybe they need to run it themselves and see how they do."

Asotin County officials said they have received reports of excessive use of tasers, pepper spray and other uses of force at the jail.

"We can't comment on the brutality allegations," Lane said. "We're still waiting for the Washington State Patrol investigation to be completed."

"I'm confident when the investigation is complete, the allegations of excessive force and abuse will be unfounded," Weber said.

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Sandaine may be contacted at kerris@lmtribune.com

Parents: Son's jail death could have been prevented

Tyler Shaw sought medical care in days before death; wrongful death suit planned

November 29, 2005

Kerri Sandaine
Published: Lewiston Tribune

ASOTIN -- The parents of a 19-year-old man who died in the Asotin County Jail believe their son's death could have been prevented.

Jay and Laurette Shaw of Asotin say their son, Tyler, who suffered from a bipolar disorder, asked repeatedly to be hospitalized in the days preceding his death at the jail.

They have hired Spokane attorney Bill Maxey and plan to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Asotin County.

"Tyler didn't get medical treatment and moved to a facility that could've prevented his death," Jay Shaw said Monday.

"We put our faith in the jail and the Asotin County judicial system to keep Tyler safe."

Shaw died Friday after allegedly beating his head against the concrete walls and floor of his cell. According to police, his heart stopped as deputies attempted to place him in a restraint chair.

He was pronounced dead at approximately 1:30 p.m., and his parents were notified of his death later that afternoon as they were driving down a freeway in Seattle.

They immediately went to the airport and got on a commercial flight for Spokane, rented a car, and drove home to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.

"We never got to see him," Jay Shaw said. "They told us his body had already been taken to Spokane for an autopsy. We just wanted to hold him and tell him good-bye."

The Shaws believe their son's death is the result of ignorance of mental health issues and a lack of qualified mental health personnel in the jail.

They also believe the charges filed against Tyler by the prosecutor's office and the $100,000 bond set by the judge were excessive.

Shaw was arrested and taken into custody Nov. 9 for allegedly headbutting his former girlfriend, which reportedly broke her nose, and making threatening statements earlier that day. He was facing charges of second-degree assault and felony harassment and was set to enter a plea Monday in Asotin County Superior Court.

"We forgive the girl who pressed charges," Laurette Shaw said. "We hope she can forgive Tyler."

Asotin County Sheriff Wayne Weber said the Washington State Patrol is continuing its investigation into Shaw's death.

"We're waiting for the autopsy report," Weber said Monday. "That will tell the story of how Tyler died."

Weber said the officers who were on duty the day Shaw died are devastated over his death and did their best to protect him from harming himself.

"I've got some jailers and deputies who are very upset for the Shaws and their loss. It's devastating. It's sad that the Shaws lost their boy. That's the biggest thing."

"In the criminal justice realm, there wasn't any mechanism to have him hospitalized, short of a motion for competency commitment," said Deputy Prosecutor Curt Liedkie.

As for filing a lawsuit, Laurette Shaw said, "It's not about vengeance. It's about helping other mentally ill inmates."

"None of this brings back Tyler," Jay Shaw added, "but the system needs to be cleaned up."

Through tears, Laurette Shaw said she and her husband are dealing with guilt over not bailing Tyler out of jail.

"We felt he was safe there," she said, weeping over the loss of her only son.

"We know he's in heaven now. That's the only thing getting us through this."

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Sandaine may be contacted at kerris@lmtribune.com.

Jailmate says Shaw was tasered

Man who was an inmate in Asotin County Jail at same time believes Tyler Shaw's problems started night before he died

December 7, 2005

Kerri Sandaine
Published: Lewiston Tribune

A former inmate at the Asotin County Jail said he saw Tyler M. Shaw tasered and tackled the night before he died.

Anthony W. Enyeart, 33, told the Tribune Tuesday he witnessed Shaw running by his cell on the night of Nov. 24 and saw him tasered in the head and knocked to the ground by a corrections officer.

Enyeart, who was released from jail Monday, said he has given his account of what happened on Thanksgiving to the Washington State Patrol detectives who are investigating Shaw's death at the jail on Nov. 25.

"I'm scared, but I'm willing to come forward and take a stand for Tyler because what happened to him was wrong," Enyeart said. "I only knew him briefly. He seemed like a normal kid."

According to police, Shaw died as officers attempted to place him in a restraint chair after an alleged self-destructive outburst. Enyeart believes the events leading to Shaw's death began Nov. 24.

Law enforcement officials have not denied there was an altercation of some sort with Shaw Thanksgiving night, but no details have been released.

"All I know is Tyler had a violent episode the night before he died," said Asotin County Sheriff Wayne Weber, "but I don't know the extent of it. Until the full report comes in from the state patrol, I won't know anything further because we are not investigating it."

The Washington State Patrol's investigation into Shaw's death is ongoing and no autopsy report has been released. The Washington state Attorney General's office is supervising the inquest.

Enyeart, who has a ninth-grade education and is unemployed, was in jail from Nov. 5 to Dec. 5 on charges involving a domestic violence violation. He claims he saw Shaw tasered following a chase that ended within view of the narrow window in his cell door.

He said he was interviewed by the state patrol Nov. 26 and handed over six handwritten pages detailing his version of events at the jail.

"I can't believe anything an inmate says until I read the report from the investigation," Weber said Tuesday. "If that's what he saw, I would want him to come forward. I don't tolerate abuse by my officers and they know that. My officers are good people."

Weber said all but one officer who was at the jail on the day Shaw died has returned to duty. A corrections officer is still on paid administrative leave pending an evaluation.

Shaw, 19, had been locked up in jail since Nov. 9 on second-degree assault and felony harassment charges for allegedly headbutting a former girlfriend.

His parents, Jay and Laurette Shaw of Asotin, are pursuing a lawsuit against the county. They believe their son, who suffered from a bipolar disorder, did not receive adequate medical treatment while he was incarcerated, and his death is the result of a lack of qualified mental health personnel at the jail.

The Asotin County commissioners issued a statement Tuesday saying they will be in a better position to comment on Shaw's death as soon as the investigation is complete and all of the facts have been assembled.

"Independent investigators are continuing to conduct an investigation and gather information into the events that led up to and included the death of Tyler Shaw," said the news release.

"Asotin County officials are clearly aware of the importance of these investigations and of the importance to accurately gather and assemble the information prior to their release."

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Sandaine may be contacted at kerris@lmtribune.com.

Jail a hellhole? Independent investigation needed

December 12, 2005

Tom Henderson
Published: Lewiston Tribune

Is this the Asotin County Jail or Devil's Island?

You have to wonder when you hear some of the allegations in the wake of a 19-year-old inmate dying in his cell Nov. 25.

Tales speak of food served by people with open sores, toilet paper hanging from the ceilings and air vents, and generally unsanitary conditions all around.

"It's a filthy mess," says County Commissioner R.E. (Buck) Lane.

An inmate remains in isolation because of a staph infection. The jail commander is sick with the same symptoms.

Then there are reports about deputies excessively using Tasers, pepper spray and other measures against inmates.

Sheriff Wayne Weber knows exactly whom to blame. Someone else. County commissioners agree. It's definitely someone else's fault. They point to Weber. Weber points back to the commissioners.

Meanwhile, the issues surrounding the jail get ignored. Everyone shares a piece of the blame -- the sheriff, the commissioners and even the voters. Weber thinks people would have voted for a sales tax increase if the money were earmarked for the sheriff's office.

Probably not. Voters have proved often enough that they want adequate public services, but not if it means raising taxes. Voters shot down a proposed sales tax increase in November -- even though 70 percent of the money was intended for law enforcement.

Weber feels abused. He says commissioners don't care enough about the jail and keep slashing his budget. He has a point. Then again, so do commissioners.

They gave Weber permission to hire more jailers, but some positions remain unfilled. "It takes time to hire people and get them trained," Weber says.

No argument here. But Weber can hardly claim commissioners don't care about his staffing needs.

It's not that someone else is to blame; it's that everyone's to blame.

The death of 19-year-old Tyer M. Shaw is being investigated by members of the Washington State Patrol. Members of the Asotin County Health Department just inspected the jail itself. Reports are forthcoming.

An independent agency ought to look at the gamut of issues affecting the jail -- from questions of sanitation to allegations of abuse. Facts need to be separated from rumors. Root causes need to be identified and addressed.

Obviously, the sheriff and commissioners aren't up to the task. They're too busy pointing fingers. -- T.H.

Activists need to collect more than horror stories

January 14, 2006

Tom Henderson
Published: Lewiston Tribune

To hear former inmates tell it, the Asotin County Jail is a chamber of horrors guarded by sadistic goons who torture defenseless prisoners for kicks.

Of course, they could be lying.

People who have run afoul of the law have a tendency to do that. They have an obvious beef against the system.

When someone comes shopping for horror stories, it provides a convenient way to stick it to the man.

Does that mean their tales should be ignored?

Definitely not. Asotin County Sheriff Wayne Weber -- and anyone with the power to incarcerate -- needs to take complaints seriously. As long as any jail system is staffed by human beings, there's a potential for rogue sadists and bullies.

That's as true in Asotin County as it is at Guantanamo Bay.

If abuse exists, is it the result of policy or a handful of mad dogs in uniform?

Weber too blithely dismisses all the possibilities. "These are false allegations coming from prisoners who lost their freedom because of the crimes they committed," he says.

Quite likely. However, in our system, even criminals and alleged criminals have a right to be heard and their charges considered.

It would help if Truth in Justice -- community volunteers collecting inmates' stories -- would do more than gather anecdotal evidence. There needs to be corroboration.

Two or more witnesses need to share the same details without knowing what the other people have said. That would provide Truth in Justice the evidence needed to affect genuine change.

All volunteers can do so far is put Weber and other sheriff's office personnel on the defensive.

There are obviously issues with the jail. Investigators for the Washington State Police are investigating the jail following the death of Tyler Shaw, a 19-year-old inmate, Nov. 25.

County Commissioner R.E. (Buck) Lane wasn't impressed with the jail during a recent tour. "It's a filthy mess," he says.

A number of people -- some with titles and authority -- are taking a hard look at the Asotin County Jail. The work of Truth in Justice can help with that process.

First, however, volunteers must focus their efforts and build a case based on evidence and corroborated testimony.

All they have now are stories. -- T.H.

Everyone's waiting for report on Asotin County Jail death

Proper investigation takes time, state official says

February 14, 2006

Kerri Sandaine
Published: Lewiston Tribune

Less than two weeks after a prisoner died in the Spokane County Jail, autopsy results revealed the cause of death.

But in Asotin County, it's been almost three months since an inmate died in the local jail and no one seems to have any concrete answers as to what caused the 19-year-old Asotin man's death.

No reports have been released to Tyler M. Shaw's family, the media or the Asotin County Sheriff's Office. Shaw died Nov. 25.

Brian Moran of the Washington Attorney General's Office said Monday he hasn't seen any reports either, but the Shaw case is moving forward.

"There are a hundred different things that can slow an investigation down," Moran told the Lewiston Tribune. "I'd rather have it take longer and have it done thoroughly."

Moran, who is overseeing the Washington State Patrol's investigation of Shaw's death, said the lengthy wait is not a surprise. "I told them to take whatever time they need," he said. "I have every confidence they're working on it."

The cause of death in the Spokane County case was likely more obvious, officials said, which resulted in a faster turnaround on autopsy results.

Moran said his office is not involved in the Spokane County investigation.

"No two investigations are just alike. I don't know what happened in Spokane. From what I understand, there was a Taser involved in the Asotin County case and that could require getting more information from experts. Different agencies require different things. When toxicology reports are ordered and medical records are requested, efforts to get those can take some time."

The jail death in Spokane is being investigated by both the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and the Spokane Police Department, with oversight by a Washington State Patrol detective. The FBI has been called in, because it frequently investigates deaths of crime suspects in police custody, The Spokesman Review reported Saturday.

In that case, the autopsy of Benites Saimon Sichiro, 39, showed lacerations to his liver, suffered at the jail, which led to internal bleeding. The cause of his Jan. 29 death was blunt-force trauma to his torso, the medical examiner said.

Shaw's family wants to find out what the medical examiner has to say about Tyler's death so they can have some closure, his father said Monday. Their son's autopsy was done in Spokane months ago.

"The wait has been horrible," Jay Shaw said. "It is as close to an ongoing torture as you can get. We're trying to work through the grief, but this is hanging out there all the time. We just want some answers."

Asotin County Sheriff Wayne Weber said he also wants a resolution. "I haven't gotten any answers either. I keep calling and calling. I'm still patiently waiting."

In the meantime, the Shaws have hired a Spokane attorney to pursue legal action against Asotin County for their son's death.

And Jay Shaw said Truth in Justice, the grassroots group formed after his son's death, has received numerous letters from people who say they were beaten in the Asotin County Jail.

"Since Tyler's death, we have heard some horrible stories from some very scared people," he said. "We just want the truth to come out."

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Sandaine may be contacted at kerris@lmtribune.com

Sheriff wants to hear abuse allegations

ASOTIN -- Sheriff Wayne Weber wants to talk to former inmates who say they've been abused at the Asotin County Jail.

Allegations of excessive force have been circulating since an inmate died at the jail in November. Weber said Tuesday he wants to get to the bottom of what's fact and what's fiction.

"I want to personally talk to the people who are saying they have seen abuse or have suffered abuse at the jail," the sheriff said. "I want to know what's going on, and I will listen to what they say."

Former inmates have written letters to a grassroots organization called Truth in Justice, and several have contacted the Lewiston Tribune with allegations of excessive use of Tasers and pepper spray at the jail.

The complaints started immediately after Tyler M. Shaw died at the jail as officers attempted to place him in a restraint chair. His death is still under investigation by the Washington State Patrol.

Inmates have said they are scared to talk to law enforcement officials about their experiences, but Weber said he wants to break through that barrier.

Current complaints likely will be reviewed by an outside third party, before the interviews take place, he said.

The sheriff is still working out the details of how and where he will meet with former inmates who have made allegations and are willing to talk to him.

A former inmate told the Tribune Tuesday that some people who have been in trouble with the law are reluctant to talk because of fear of reprisals.

"I think people are afraid they'll get persecuted, pulled over all the time and harassed by police," said Jason S. Santiago of Clarkston, who has a preliminary hearing this week in Nez Perce County on a charge of felony attempted strangulation.

The 22-year-old spent several weeks in the Asotin County Jail last year on a possession of marijuana with intent to deliver charge, and said he doesn't want to go back to jail and has changed his life around. "I got a wife and baby and another one on the way. I don't want to get in anymore trouble. I have too much to lose."

Santiago alleges he witnessed another inmate get Tasered, placed in a restraint chair and then pepper sprayed while he was incarcerated in Asotin County. He said he contacted the Tribune because he wants that kind of abuse to end. "I am just sick and tired of watching people getting treated that way," he said.

The sheriff said he wants to hear those type of stories firsthand instead of getting them through the grapevine without any details or verification.

Weber said he supports the dedicated professionals working at the jail, but he is willing to investigate the allegations that have surfaced to see if improvements or changes are needed.

"I want to make sure the jail is a safe environment for the inmates and corrections officers," he said.

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Sandaine may be contacted at kerris@lmtribune.com

Former inmate claims he was injured while at Asotin County Jail

A former inmate at the Asotin County Jail has filed a tort claim alleging he was injured while incarcerated.

Albert C. Paulson, 50, of Clarkston, filed the claim last month against the jail, the Asotin County Sheriff's Office and jailer Art Munsor.

Munsor, whose name is actually Art Musser, is misidentified throughout the claim.

According to the tort claim, Paulson was put in jail Nov. 28, 2005, and was suffering from alcohol withdrawal and in a confused state.

Court documents state he was in jail for first-degree criminal trespass, a gross misdemeanor.

The tort claim alleges that although Paulson was not assaulting anybody, either in the jail or prior to incarceration, he was shoved from behind, (hand) cuffed too tightly, "tased," pepper sprayed and placed in a restraint chair.

All of this caused and contributed to injuries to his person and mind, according to the tort claim, and he was not treated for the pepper spraying for an extended period.

According to the claim, this conduct constituted assault, outrage, intentional infliction of emotional distress and cruel and unusual punishment and violated Paulson's civil rights.

The claim alleges as a result Paulson suffered injuries to his arms and back including numbness, headaches, mental distress and anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.

He is seeking economic damages of $77,500.

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Heisinger may be contacted at andreah@lmtribune.com

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