Update: Sheriff says Berrien County Inmate Found Dead Not on Suicide Watch

martell-hadley

 

An inmate found dead in his cell over the weekend showed no signs of depression or mentioned suicidal thoughts according to Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey.

Bailey tells WSJM News his, “thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” of 24-year old Martell Hadley of Benton Harbor.

Bailey says jail guards discovered Hadley hanging in his single-person cell around 10:00 Saturday night.

Bailey says Hadley “made no mention of wanting to hurt himself” and he was not under suicide watch.

Bailey says jail guards are required to make rounds hourly checking on inmates in their cells since video cameras are not allowed in those areas. He says those rounds are documented.

Bailey says he has spoken to a pastor of the Hadley family and has asked to talk to Hadley’s mother.

Hadley was on parole when he was arrested in December and recently sentenced to up to two years in prison for fleeing and eluding police.

His criminal history dates back to 2010 and includes larceny, burglary and drug possession.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Detective Bureau is conducting an internal investigation which will be turned over to the Prosecutor’s office for review.

*****************************************

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a death in the County Jail. Just after 10:00 Saturday night, jailers found 24-year-old Martell Dekarlos Hadley hanging in a one person cell in the Berrien County Jail. Staff immediately began CPR and he was transported to the emergency room at Lakeland Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Detectives have been called in to investigate the incident and an autopsy is scheduled for Monday in Grand Rapids. Hadley was on parole and was recently sentenced to 12 to 24 months in prison after being charged with fleeing and eluding Police. WSJM News has obtained Hadley’s criminal record which dates back to 2010. It includes larceny, burglary and drug possession.