GREEN BAY (NBC 26) -- The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation has released information an in-custody death that happened earlier this year.
Jason Thomson died on February 10. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital after becoming unresponsive while in custody at the Brown County Jail.
According to the DCI, the incident involving Thomson began several hours prior to his death, when the Green Bay Metro Fire Department responded to St. John’s Shelter for a report of someone having a seizure. Thomson was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital just before midnight.
In the St. Vincent’s emergency room, the DCI report said Thomson was treated and then medically cleared. Before being released, Thomson said he needed to urinate. A hospital technician brought Thomson a hand urinal and stayed with Thomson to make sure he didn’t fall.
According to the report from DCI, Thomson accused the technician of rolling her eyes at him and became confrontational. DCI says nursing staff and hospital security couldn’t calm Thomson down, and the police were called.
Officers with Green Bay Police arrived at the hospital. DCI says officers attempted to restrain Thomson but he resisted, even when he ended up on the floor. DCI says police eventually used a WRAP device to restrain Thomson.
Thomson was then taken from the hospital to the Brown County Jail, where he was examined by a jail nurse. According to DCI, the jail nurse advised that Thomson should be returned to a hospital to be re-cleared for admittance. Thomson was returned to the squad car where he became unresponsive. Thomson was then taken out of the squad car and placed on the floor of the sally port where CPR was performed until emergency responders arrived.
Thomson was taken to Aurora Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The following day, the DCI report says an autopsy was performed. A forensic pathologist didn’t identify a specific cause of death but did note several medical deficiencies and evidence of bruises and scrapes. Toxicology reports were still pending in the DCI report.
The DCI report also noted testimony from Thomson’s sister, who told investigators that Thomson had epilepsy, had multiple seizures and had cracked his skull several times in the past.
The Brown County District Attorney has determined no criminal charges will be brought against the officers involved in the incident.
