The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations is investigating the death of a second inmate at an area county jail. This incident happened on June 26. You’ll recall that back on June 1, Kevin Bailey died in a Columbus hospital as a result of injuries sustained at the Scioto County Jail
Found Unresponsive
Jacob D. Cochran, 26, of Ironton was found unresponsive at the Lawrence County Jail early in the morning on June 26. According to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, corrections staff performed CPR in an attempt to revive the man and called EMS.
Cochran was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is looking into the cause of death. Cochran’s body was sent to Montgomery County for an autopsy.
If that scenario sounds familiar, it’s because it’s similar to the investigation into the death of Scioto County Jail Inmate Kevin Bailey. However, the circumstances surrounding Bailey’s death were violent.
Kevin Bailey
Bailey died from injuries suffered during an incident at the end of May. According to a jail spokesman, Bailey attempted to run away from guards. During the chase, he allegedly his head on an open door during a scuffle.
Bailey’s sister, Karen Skaggs, said he suffered a fractured skull, broken ribs, and a black eye. He was so severely injured that doctors told his sister the best course of action was to remove him from life support. Multiple sources have claimed that Bailey got mouthy with guards and was beaten and kicked.
The Ohio State Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation took over the investigation on the case. Bailey’s body was sent to Montgomery County for an autopsy
The Meeting
A representative from the Bailey family was able to meet with the Scioto County Sheriff. Skaggs shared with me what that representative was told during the meeting.
- For the first time, Sheriff Donini acknowledged that the incident occurred.
- The Sheriff also confirmed that other jail personnel and inmates gave statements confirming that Bailey was assaulted.
- None of the 55 cameras inside the jail captured the incident.
- A deputy was fired in connection with the incident.
- This case will now head to Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman
Still Waiting
However, the last time I spoke to the Prosecutor, he told me he was still waiting. “The matter will be reviewed once it is received from BCI.”
Earlier, Tieman asked the Bailey family for patience. “It’s important to keep in mind that we have an outside agency that is conducting the investigation. These agents do not work in a vacuum. They have to travel back and forth to our county from other areas. They also have other matters across the state or at least region that they are investigating, so sometimes it takes longer than people wish. Likewise, my office has to review the evidence, determine appropriate charges, identify weaknesses in the case, and anticipate defenses.”
I spoke to someone at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department earlier today. She said she couldn’t comment on the status of the investigation but would take a message for the Sheriff and the Jail Administrator. So far, I haven’t heard back.
