NEWS & LETTERS, April - May 2009
Death of John Karnei
At 2 p.m., Jan. 5 of this year, in the central hallway at the Wallace Pack State Prison near Navasota, Texas, John Karnei, CPO USN (Ret), TDCJ number 787551, ACLU member number 67586255, collapsed and died of apparent heart failure.
Karnei, approximate age 65, had been incarcerated at the Pack prison for about 12 years on a plea-bargained 25-year sentence. He was a minimum-custody, state-approved trusty with an unremarkable disciplinary record. His medical records showed no history of cardiovascular problems.
Healthcare for most Texas state prisoners is provided by the employees of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), whose workers operate a rudimentary clinic and infirmary at the Pack prison. The main entrance to this clinic is on the central hallway about 100 feet from where Karnei collapsed and died. Following the Jan. 5 incident, many questions have arisen concerning Karnei's death. Most of these questions remain unanswered.
Karnei collapsed and died in view of dozens of prisoners and guards, yet no one asked the clinic to send a crash cart. Karnei collapsed at a point directly across the central hallway from the office of the Building Lieutenant where Lt. Steven Martinez was on duty. The clinic, only 100 feet away, failed to send aid until after Karnei had succumbed.
The usual and customary first aid procedures were not administered. No one did anything to restore regular cardiac rhythm or respiration. No ambu bag. No CPR. No oxygen. No lidocaine. No defibrillation. No attempt to restore regular heartbeat. No attempt to restore regular respiration. Guards gathered near his lifeless body and shouted, "Get up! Get up!" Such is the warm and compassionate demeanor of guards in Texas state prisons.
Karnei was left on the floor of the central hallway until he was beyond help. Clinic staff finally arrived with a gurney, loaded on Karnei's body, and carried him away.
--Texas prisoner
|
