Shocking video shows jail guards ignoring inmate dying on the floor as fellow prisoners read him the Bible and form a prayer circle

  • Douglas Edmisten, 50, who was in jail waiting for his DUI trial, became violently sick on the night of July 7
  • He was throwing up blood and began complaining of extreme pain at 10.15pm
  • But guards and prison officials ignored his requests and he did not receive any medical treatment, a lawsuit by his family states
  • Video shows him writhing in pain as his fellow inmates read the Bible to him and formed a prayer circle
  • At 5.25am the following day, Edmisten died on the floor of his shared cell
  • Edmisten's family have since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the prison, and several of its officials including the jail medic 

By Hannah Parry For Dailymail.com

Published: 12:57 EDT, 11 July 2017 | Updated: 18:54 EDT, 11 July 2017

An inmate was left to die on the floor after jail guards and officials ignored his pleas for help, according to a lawsuit filed by his family.

Douglas Edmisten, 50, who was in jail waiting for his DUI trial, became violently sick on the night of July 7, throwing up blood and complaining of extreme pain.

But rather than take him to hospital, staff at Cibola County jail, in Grants, New Mexico, returned him to his shared room where he died hours later, according to the lawsuit.

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An inmate was left to die on the floor after jail guards and officials ignored his pleas for help, according to a lawsuit filed by his family

An inmate was left to die on the floor after jail guards and officials ignored his pleas for help, according to a lawsuit filed by his family

Heartbreaking surveillance footage shows his fellow inmates trying to make Edmisten comfortable, even reading the Bible to him and forming a prayer circle as it appeared he was close to the end, while the guards ignored him

Heartbreaking surveillance footage shows his fellow inmates trying to make Edmisten comfortable, even reading the Bible to him and forming a prayer circle as it appeared he was close to the end, while the guards ignored him

At 5.25am on July 8, after seven hours in pain, Edmisten died on the floor of his jail pod

At 5.25am on July 8, after seven hours in pain, Edmisten died on the floor of his jail pod

Douglas Edminsten was in jail awaiting his trial on a driving under the influence charge

Douglas Edminsten was in jail awaiting his trial on a driving under the influence charge

Heartbreaking surveillance footage shows his fellow inmates trying to make Edmisten comfortable, even reading the Bible to him and forming a prayer circle as it appeared he was close to the end, while the guards ignored him.

'We know the inmates and everyone else were trying to get help, but nothing happened,' family attorney Glenn Valdez told KOB. 'He couldn't call himself or do anything that we take for granted. So without the guards to call, he's dead.'

Edmisten's family have since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the prison, and several of its officials including the jail medic.

The ordeal began after Edmisten complained he was ill and vomiting blood - a serious and urgent medical condition - at around 10.15pm, his family say in their filing.

His family are suing the prison, and several of its officials including the jail medic, for Edmisten's wrongful death

His family are suing the prison, and several of its officials including the jail medic, for Edmisten's wrongful death

His fellow inmates tried desperately to get the guards' attention, eventually wiping blood on the window.

'We know the inmates and everyone else were trying to get help, but nothing happened,' Valdez said. 'He couldn't call himself or do anything that we take for granted. So without the guards to call, he's dead.'

Eventually, Edmisten was allowed to walk down to medical at around 11pm where he was assessed by jail medic Casey Salvador, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit states that, despite showing signs of serious illness such as vomiting blood, he was returned to the general population of prisoners within 20 minutes.

Video footage shows him writhing in pain, and even falling off his bed. Unable to make it back to his bunk, his fellow inmates pull down his mattress onto the floor to try and make him more comfortable.

The lawsuit states that his concerned fellow prisoners' pleas for the guards to fetch medical help were ignored until 3.35am, when he was taken down to medical in a wheelchair.

The ordeal began after Edmisten complained he was ill and vomiting blood - a serious and urgent medical condition - at around 10.15pm, his family say in their filing (guards are called to the inmates area after he becomes violently ill)

The ordeal began after Edmisten complained he was ill and vomiting blood - a serious and urgent medical condition - at around 10.15pm, his family say in their filing (guards are called to the inmates area after he becomes violently ill)

Edmisten was taken to the medic but released 20 minutes later without treatment, the lawsuit states (the prisoner was returned to his bunk, pictured) 

Edmisten was taken to the medic but released 20 minutes later without treatment, the lawsuit states (the prisoner was returned to his bunk, pictured) 

He became so sick that his fellow inmates formed a prayer circle and even read what is believed to be extracts form the Bible to him (pictured) 

He became so sick that his fellow inmates formed a prayer circle and even read what is believed to be extracts form the Bible to him (pictured) 

Eventually, at 3.35am, he was wheeled back to the medic's room after he also began defecating blood and his eyes began rolling back into his head, the lawsuit states

Eventually, at 3.35am, he was wheeled back to the medic's room after he also began defecating blood and his eyes began rolling back into his head, the lawsuit states

By this point, Edmisten was defecating blood and his eyes were rolling back into his head, according to the lawsuit.

Valdez says that the Cibola County Detention Center director Michael Dodds, Lieutenant and supervisor Glibert Gonzales, Health Services Administrator and registered nurse Hildenbrandt and medic Salvador had all been aware that Edmisten was vomiting blood - a life threatening medical emergency that without urgent treatment can result in death.

Yet he was returned to his bunk just 15 minutes later without treatment, the wrongful death lawsuit states.

At 5.25am on July 8, after seven hours in pain, Edmisten died on the floor of his jail pod.

'It made me sick to my stomach,' said Valdez, after viewing the video on Monday. 'I'm watching somebody die right in front of my eyes.' 

County officials at Cibola County jail, New Mexico, (pictured) were not able to comment directly on the case

County officials at Cibola County jail, New Mexico, (pictured) were not able to comment directly on the case

An autopsy later revealed Edmisten died from a ruptured blood vessel in his stomach.

If he had been taken for medical treatment when he first complained of pain and vomiting blood, experts say there's an 80 percent chance he would have survived.

Valdez believes the jail may not have wanted to pay out for transport and hospital treatment for one of its inmates.

County officials were not able to comment directly on the case to KOB but said policies at the jail were being reviewed. 

An external investigation is also being conducted into the incident. 

Edmisten's heartbroken daughter posted a tribute to her father on Facebook. 

'You was such a wonderful daddy I love you and I will miss you dearly... R.I.P Douglas Allen Edmisten,' she wrote, on a picture of the two of them together.

 

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