Autopsy findings expected next week in death of inmate

Published 12:01 am Friday, December 14, 2007

PORT ANGELES – Results of an autopsy on the body of John Francis Young are expected next week.

Young, 46, was discovered in his locked cell Wednesday at the Clallam County jail with a bedsheet around his neck that was hanging underneath a bunk about 18 inches off the floor.

Preliminary results of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department investigation found the death to be a suicide.

Chief Corrections Deputy Ron Sukert said the autopsy was scheduled to be performed by a Seattle pathologist at the Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel on Thursday.

Prosecuting Attorney Deborah Kelly also serves as Clallam County’s coroner.

Because she is not a medical examiner, autopsies are performed by doctors who contract with the county.

Young was found during a regular check of inmates.

Dr. Peter Erickson, the jail’s doctor, and fire department paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive him.

Young had been placed in a segregation cell at his own request, according to a statement from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department.

He was facing trial on Jan. 14 on charges that included first-degree assault in a case that had been continued eight times.