Charges Dropped Against Santa Rita Jail Staff For Inmate Death

DUBLIN, CA — Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson dismissed charges against eight of the 11 Santa Rita Jail staff and medical personnel accused of criminal neglect in connection with a 2021 in-custody death.

Maurice Monk, a 45-year-old man with schizophrenia and diabetes, died in his cell in November 2021 after allegedly being ignored by staff for several days as his condition visibly deteriorated. He had already been dead for three days when he was finally discovered, lying in his own fluids and surrounded by uneaten meals and medications.

Jones Dickson said that what was found was “very disturbing”, but could not find sufficient evidence to secure convictions. She has also said that her office will continue to “vigorously pursue justice on behalf of Mr. Monk and his family as we prosecute this case.”

Three remaining defendants - Deputies Donall Rowe and Robinderpal Singh Hayer, and former Deputy Thomas Mowrer - still face felony adult abuse charges, and Hayer is also charged with falsifying official documents.

Still, Monk’s family expressed disappointment with the decision. "Justice was not served," his sister Elvira told KTVU and the Bay Area News Group, saying she was “disgusted.”

“For them to only go after three people, and to watch them in court today, is really disgusting. I wish there would have been more done. I’m blessed there are three people being charged, but I wish there was more.”

“It has been nearly four years since Mr. Monk’s deteriorating medical condition was ignored, causing his death, when all that the guards and the jail’s medical contractors needed to do was their jobs, and to consider Mr. Monk as someone whose life was valuable,” Monk family attorneys said in a statement. "The family looks forward to obtaining justice against the three remaining guards who still face criminal trials for their roles in Mr. Monk's untimely death."

Michael Rains, an attorney for the defendants, told the Bay Area News Group that former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price “chose to ignore very important evidence” and tried to “obtain a great publicity splash” by charging the employees. Several police officers attended the courtroom in a show of solidarity with the defendants.

The family has been awarded a $7 million settlement from Alameda County, and $2.5 million from Wellpath, the for-profit health care provider for Santa Rita Jail.

Part of the settlement with Alameda County included promises to improve its protocol for observation checks on inmates.

“The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has made significant changes at the Santa Rita Jail (SRJ) and continues to introduce reforms to improve the wellbeing of all those incarcerated there,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release, though did not elaborate the exact nature of the changes. “The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has reached substantial compliance in meeting the standards outlined in the federally mandated consent decree in place at SRJ in an effort to ensure improved outcomes for all individuals in custody.”

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• Santa Rita Inmate Died After Staff 'Neglect': Lawsuit