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Jailer fired after hanging
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Published: October 29, 2009
A jailer lost his job after an inmate hanged himself last weekend.
Iredell County Sheriff Phil Redmond said the jailer, Chris Carter, failed to follow departmental rules. But, he said, Carter's actions didn't contribute to the death.
Redmond said he couldn't comment further because it is a personnel issue.
Joseph Butler, 31, of Statesville was found hanging from a light fixture in an isolation cell at the jail late Saturday night. He used bed sheets to hang himself, Redmond said.
He was processed into the jail on Oct. 20, four days earlier, after he was arrested by the Statesville Police Department in connection with breaking-and-entering a motor vehicle, misdemeanor larceny and communicating threats.
He was ordered held in lieu of a $5,000 bond.
Redmond said Butler was taken to Davis Regional Medical Center by SPD officers prior to being brought to the jail on Oct. 24.
During his incarceration, Butler did not voice any suicidal plans, Redmond said.
"He wasn't on suicide watch and we weren't told he needed to be on suicide watch," Redmond said.
Redmond said the investigation into what happened is continuing. The surveillance tapes from the jail as well as the record of checks made on the cell are being examined.
He said another facet of the investigation will be whether the overcrowding and staffing of the jail may have played a part.
"We have dozens and dozens of inmates and not enough jailers," he said. "The jailers are having to deal with an overflow of prisoners."
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