State: Jailers failed to properly monitor inmate

The Minnesota Department of Corrections says Ramsey County jailers failed to properly monitor an inmate who strangled himself while in custody.

Fifty-five-year-old Patrick McHugh was accused of killing his sister, brother-in-law and niece July 16 at their St. Paul home. He killed himself Aug. 20 in his Ramsey County Jail cell.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the DOC's review of jail standards concluded jailers failed to check on McHugh every 30 minutes as required by state law.

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Department did not comment on the DOC's review.

---

Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-11-23-10 0735EST

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.