Syracuse, NY -- An inmate of the Onondaga County Justice Center died this morning from natural causes in a Syracuse hospital, according to the Onondaga County sheriff. Levoughn Edmond, 23, was awaiting transfer to the state prison system after a felony burglary conviction when he became ill in the jail on Monday, Sheriff Kevin E. Walsh said. After showing symptoms...
Syracuse, NY -- An inmate of the Onondaga County Justice Center died this morning from natural causes in a Syracuse hospital, according to the Onondaga County sheriff.
Levoughn Edmond, 23, was awaiting transfer to the state prison system after a felony burglary conviction when he became ill in the jail on Monday, Sheriff Kevin E. Walsh said.
After showing symptoms of an illness on Monday, jail medical personnel sent Edmond to Crouse Hospital. Edmond died there today, four days after admittance.
“Yes, he was in our custody but he died in the hospital from an illness he did not contract in jail,” Walsh said.
Walsh said that the law prohibits him from discussing Edmond’s medical history but did say the illness pre-existed his incarceration. Walsh said he is awaiting results from Edmund’s autopsy.
The illness was not contagious and no quarantines have been ordered for the jail, he said.
Edmond was sentenced in Onondaga County Court June 9 to 2 to 4 years in state prison on a burglary charge, Walsh said. The burglary took place in Syracuse and Edmond was in custody since March 28, Walsh said.
The state has 10 days to accept sentenced prisoners and Walsh believes Edmond would have gone to the state prison system today if he had not fallen ill.
Edmond’s death will be investigated by the state Department of Correctional Services, Walsh said.
Walsh said he did not have information on Edmond’s relatives and was unsure if family members were notified of Edmond’s death.
The last death of someone in custody of the county Justice Center occurred on Nov. 12 when Chuniece Patterson was declared dead at Upstate University Hospital after a two-day stay in the jail.
Onondaga County Medical Examiner Dr. Robert Stoppacher ruled that Patterson died of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.