Prosecutor clears jailers in inmate’s death

WILMINGTON (AP) — The Brunswick County district attorney says jailers acted properly when they subdued an obese man who then suffocated and died earlier this year.

District Attorney Rex Gore said evidence from a State Bureau of Investigation report and a videotape of the incident does not indicate any misconduct by jailers in the death of Senaca Vaught.

The Star-News of Wilmington reported Wednesday that Vaught died in jail on Jan. 23 from asphyxiation after he was pepper-sprayed and restrained face down on the concrete floor.

The sheriff’s office has said Vaught was kicking the door and head-butted officers when they opened his cell door.

Vaught was in jail for assaulting his mother on Christmas Day.

His family has hired an attorney and is looking into a possible wrongful death claim.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)