FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Friday, August 11, 2023, a federal jury ruled in favor of Oklahoma County, the defendant in a civil case related to the August 10, 2019, death of Daryl Clinton. Clinton was in the custody of the Oklahoma County Detention Center at the time of his death. The medical examiner listed Clinton’s manner of death as an accident and identified 13 medical conditions in their report.

Clinton was arrested on August 5, 2019, after backing his car into a light pole. Law enforcement noted that he appeared to be intoxicated and upon a search of his vehicle it was discovered he was in possession of multiple illegal drugs.

Clinton was treated at the hospital before being booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center. He underwent multiple tests before being released to the jail. While in custody, Clinton was held in the medical unit to be monitored by the medical staff. Despite the care provided by the medical staff over the five days he was incarcerated, Clinton was found on August 10, 2019, on the floor of his cell having a heart attack. He was resuscitated but died later at the hospital.

The plaintiff in this case was seeking $11 million from the county if the jail was found to be negligent in Clinton’s death. If the plaintiff had won, Oklahoma County property owners would have seen an increase in their taxes to cover the judgement.

Criminal charges are based on probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

320 ROBERT S. KERR, SUITE 505 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73102
(405) 713-1600
FAX (405) 235-1567

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