Company to assist with jail suicide investigation
A Beaver County investigations company has been contracted to assist with ongoing internal investigations at Washington County jail into two recent suicides.
The agreement between CSI Investigation Risk Management and the jail was ratified Thursday during the county commissioners meeting, along with the approval for advertising for professionals to conduct mental health services and psychological evaluations for the inmates at the jail.
Warden John Temas said the company has been working with staff since Oct. 20 to complete investigations into the deaths of Richard Kempf, 31, of Washington, and Gregory Michaux, 38, of Clarksville. Kempf was found unresponsive in his jail cell Feb. 2. Michaux was found unresponsive Sept. 26. Both men apparently hung themselves with bed sheets.
Kempf’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county, the jail and Temas. The lawsuit claims Kempf died by suicide after being denied medical treatment.
Kempf, who lived on Duncan Avenue, and his mother, Brenda Kempf, 51, were arrested Jan. 6 in connection with a burglary at their neighbor’s apartment. Richard Kempf was awaiting trial on charges of burglary, theft and receiving stolen property over accusations he stole a guitar and tools from two men, court records state. The charges against his mother were dismissed April 15. Kempf was not on suicide watch.
Michaux had been in jail since March, when he was arrested by state police on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and disorderly conduct. He was awaiting trial, and his parole was revoked on a previous conviction. Michaux also was not on suicide watch.
His mother, Freda Michaux, a resident of Ohio, started an online fundraising effort for a private autopsy, funeral costs and to initiate a wrongful-death suit.
During previous interviews with the Observer-Reporter, Washington County Commission Chairman Larry Maggi, who also chairs the county prison board, said there are processes in place to prevent jail suicides.
Temas said the Beaver County company is involved with all aspects of the investigations, including interviews and reviewing evidence. The contract states CSI Investigations’ services are to be performed on an hourly basis of $95 an hour, plus mileage, and are not to exceed $15,000. The money is coming out of the jail’s operating budget. County Solicitor Lynn DeHaven recommended the jail enter into the agreement.
“They have more resources,” Temas said. “There is a lot to cover. We had two (suicides) happen back to back. The investigations are extensive, and we want them to be thorough.”
Temas was unable to say when the investigations would be completed, but he said they are close.
“A part of this process is looking to see what we can do differently,” he said.