County Targets Journalist For Exposing Jail Deaths

Freelance journalist Kelly Davis has done extensive work investigating local government corruption and exposing some concerning truths about deaths at the San Diego County jail.

Several years ago, Davis released information to the public about her investigation, claiming that San Diego County had an incarceration mortality rate that was the higher than any other large county in California. And those award-winning stories have ended-up costing her a lot.

Davis was obviously curious about the death rate and in 2013 she had published a series of reports on her investigation. This involved looking at deaths that were regarded as suicides, homicides, and accidents.

According to her, it was the years between 2007 and 2012, that the highest mortality rate was seen for the San Diego County County region.

One of the relatives of those who lost their life, ended up suing the county and alleging that she had warned the staff about the depression her husband was suffering from (being a former Marine) and about his suicide attempts.

The county wanted that lawsuit to be dismissed, but the judge refused.

The judge admitted that Davis' extensive investigation had put the county on notice about their inadequate policies in regards to suicide prevention and it also revealed some damning constitutional violations.

In response to the revelations (and what looks like an act of retaliation), the county then allegedly made Davis a party to the lawsuit and consequently pressured Davis to turn over all of her research related to the jail deaths, e-mails, notebooks, everything.

She was served with a subpoena in November of last year and was asked to detail to the state how she came up with her mortality rate conclusions.

Legal experts have suggested that this case could have a future effect on freedom of the press in the country. For example, this could discourage people from divulging information to journalists. And rather than trying to attack or pressure Davis, the county should instead be focusing their attention and frustration toward the problems that she uncovered.

Davis managed to secure the help of an attorney who worked on her behalf pro-bono, her lawyer filed an opposition to the motion from the county, that was seeking to force her to divulge that information.

At the beginning of February, a judge ruled that she wouldn't have to give that information over to county lawyers. However, there is still a chance however that the county could appeal the decision.

Davis still plans to continue investigating and reporting on deaths in San Diego County.

Pics:
Pixabay

Sources:
https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/opinion/the-countys-outrageous-targeting-of-reporter-who-exposed-jail-deaths/
http://sdcitybeat.com/news-and-opinion/news/many-inmate-deaths-many/
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/County-Lawyers-Demand-Research-Notes-From-Local-Journalist-473242543.html
https://theintercept.com/2015/10/29/solitary-in-california-jails-still-hellish-despite-state-reforms/