Nessel charges 8 current and former prison employees in inmate's 2019 death
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LANSING — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged eight current and former prison employees, including a former acting warden, in the 2019 death of a prisoner at Alger Correctional Facility in Munising, she announced Tuesday.
The felony charges include involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jonathan Lancaster, who was 38 when he died while in solitary confinement at the prison in the Upper Peninsula.
"This death was a preventable tragedy that played out over days and under the defendants’ supervision,” Nessel said in a news release.
“These are serious, and numerous, charges that reflect the broad culpability the defendants shoulder in the death of Johnathan Lancaster. The eight defendants had a responsibility for the care and well-being of those in their custody, and my office will continue to rigorously pursue accountability when that is not met.”
The State alleges that Lancaster stopped eating and drinking and was placed in solitary confinement in an observation cell and in restraints. He remained that way until he died three days later, despite having lost more than 50 pounds in fifteen days and widespread knowledge of his deteriorating state of health, the release said. Lancaster received no emergency medical attention until after his death, the release said.
Charged are:
Former Acting Warden Scott Sprader with one count of involuntary manslaughter, a 15-year felony.
Former Assistant Deputy Warden Benny Mercier with one count of involuntary manslaughter.
Registered nurses Paul Zelenak, Nathan Moser, Barbara Bedient and John Crane, all formerly of MDOC, with one count each of involuntary manslaughter.
Former MDOC Sgt. Jason Denman with one count of misconduct in office, a five-year felony.
MDOC Officer Shawn Brinkman with one count of misconduct in office.
The investigation was conducted by the Michigan State Police.
Those charged could not immediately be reached. Five of the eight defendants were arraigned Tuesday in 93rd District Court in Munising.
"This is a big deal," said Lancaster's sister, Danielle Dunn, of Washtenaw County, who had fought to bring accountability in the case and said she believes this is the first time Michigan prison employees have faced manslaughter charges in the death of a prisoner. Nessel's office could not immediately confirm that.
More: Report calls on Michigan prison system to sharply reduce its use of solitary confinement
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"I feel like this is the beginning of justice for Jonathan," she said Tuesday.
Dunn told the Free Press in 2021 that she believes there is no doubt that the department's segregation policies and practices contributed to his death.
Lancaster was physically healthy when he arrived at Alger, but had mental health and addiction issues. Dunn said his condition deteriorated rapidly after he was placed in segregation, apparently in response to an altercation with another prisoner.
Lancaster was severely dehydrated, and was found lying in his own feces and urine, according to a statement of claim.
In 2021, a federal judge in Grand Rapids gave approval to a $2.6 million settlement under which defendants from the MDOC and its then-medical contractor, Corizon Health, paid Dunn and other Lancaster relatives.
Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Nessel charges 8 Michigan prison employees in 2019 inmate death
