OHIO — A Montgomery County Grand Jury has declined to indict 10 jail employees in connection with the in-custody death of Christian Black, officials announced Wednesday.
Attorneys representing Black’s family released a statement expressing their disappointment with the decision. “While we recognize that the grand jury’s decision is legally binding, the family is deeply disappointed by the outcome, and our legal team is troubled by these proceedings. However, we believe the absence of criminal charges does not mean there was no wrongdoing,” the statement said in part.
The attorneys said they plan to pursue a civil case, arguing that Black’s death resulted from medical negligence.
Black was arrested by Englewood Police after crashing a stolen car, jumping a fence, and attempting to swim away from officers. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, he had multiple confrontations with corrections officers after being booked into the county jail.
Officials said Black repeatedly banged his head against his cell door and later tried to fight staff, leading officers to deploy a Taser and pepper spray before placing him in a restraint chair. He became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital, where he died two days later, on March 26.
The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office ruled his manner of death a homicide and listed the cause as mechanical and positional asphyxia.
Ten jail employees were placed on leave following the incident, and six have since returned to work. The case is now expected to proceed through civil litigation.
