Posted 8:54 am Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Angelina County Jail Death Under Investigation
LUFKIN (AP) -- Texas Rangers are investigating the death of a 28-year-old Lufkin man who was found unconscious in the Angelina County Jail.
Texas Ranger Pete Maskunas said Thomas Joseph Kirksey was unresponsive after being taken from the jail to Memorial Health System of East Texas, where he was pronounced dead yesterday.
The Lufkin Daily News reports an autopsy has been ordered.
Natassha Kirksey said she repeatedly called the jail throughout yesterday afternoon and was told her husband -- who she said was high on PCP at the time and probably suffering from paranoia and hallucinations -- was quote, "was uncontrollable."
She told the newspaper a hospital nurse told her he was stunned with a Taser gun five or six times before suffering cardiac arrest.
Sheriff Kent Henson said Thomas Kirksey wasn't being stunned with a Taser gun when he died.
Henson declined further comment because of the ongoing investigation.
Natassha Kirksey said she repeatedly called the jail throughout yesterday afternoon and was told her husband -- who she said was high on PCP at the time and probably suffering from paranoia and hallucinations -- was quote, "was uncontrollable."
She told the newspaper a hospital nurse told her he was stunned with a Taser gun five or six times before suffering cardiac arrest.
Sheriff Kent Henson said Thomas Kirksey wasn't being stunned with a Taser gun when he died.
Henson declined further comment because of the ongoing investigation.
