Quadriplegic Serving 10-Day Sentence Dies In DC Jail

[CaptinCrunch]

Quadriplegic Serving 10-Day Sentence For First-Time Marijuana Charge Dies In DC Jail

October 7, 2004 - Washington, DC, USA


Washington, DC: A 27-year-old quadriplegic man sentenced to serve ten days in a Washington, DC jail on charges that he possessed a minor amount of marijuana died while in custody last week due to inadequate health care, including prison officials' failure to provide him with a ventilator.

The victim, Jonathan Magbie, had been paralyzed from the neck down since the age of four, was unable to breath on his own, and required nursing care 20 hours a day.

Magbie was sentenced to spend ten days in jail on September 20, 2004 after pleading guilty to one charge of marijuana possession. Though prosecutors had recommended probation, the judge in the case ordered Magbie to serve jail time - noting that the defendant had told pre-sentence investigators that he would continue using marijuana because it made him feel better.

NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup called Magbie's death "one of the most tragic results of marijuana prohibition I have witnessed in the 35-year history of the organization."

He concluded: "Although Jonathan Magbie died from causes currently under investigation, it is clear that his death was the result of the overly punitive laws criminalizing the use and possession of marijuana. There is little doubt that were it not for marijuana prohibition, Jonathan Magbie would still be alive today. He did not deserve to die for smoking marijuana."

[sunupgal]

I am not trying to be uncaring here, because I think it is ridiculous to have put this man in jail, but how does someone who is unable to breathe on their own smoke marijuana anyways?

[tronbunny]

I imagine that they put the lighted joint up to the intake of the ventilator.
Sad. We really could be spending our time and effort on more important issues.
It is the responsibility of the incarcerating institution to care properly for this person.
Frankly, marijuana is no more a threat to society than alcohol. Either, when abused, could be tragic.
If it could be properly regulated like alcohol, we could use it a a tax revenue source.
BTW, my body chemistry can't tolerate the stuff, and I let my child know that it can be as dangerous as alcohol, cigarettes and prescription drugs.
The big thing I reinforce to him...it is currently an illegal substance and the consequences of using/possessing it can be as detrimental (or worse) as the physiolgical effects.

[Cookiely]

I took care of quads in a hospital for several years and whatever substance they want to ingest is fine by me. I hope the family gets a good attorney and gets awarded a gazillion amount of money.

[george_r_1961]

Im for law and order and enforcing drug laws but this is ridiculous. I am NOT for legalizing pot but I think strictly controlled medicinal use of THC should be allowed. My next point: when a person is sent to jail the jailers are responsible for for his/her health and safety. This is negligence bordering on manslaughter in my opinion. Yes this man broke the law but I dont feel a jail sentence was appropriate and he sure as hell did not deserve to die.

[therock1811]

Yep George I TOTALLY agree with you and this man did not deserve to die. I mean he didn't kill anyone!

[vbhoutex]

No matter where one stands on the legalization of Marijuana this is truly trajic!!! THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN except pure stupidity and negligence!!!

[HurricaneGirl]

Now I'm REALLY angry!!

[Josephine96]

Not so good that Mary's angry now