August 26, 2009

Man's death at state-run home ruled a homicide


TEXAS DIGEST
School immunization requirements delayed; homicide at Lubbock state home
COMPILED FROM WIRE REPORTS
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/08/25/0825texdigest.html

The mother of a 45-year-old mentally disabled man whose death at a state-run home was ruled a homicide said Monday that her son was slammed against a bed and choked with a towel.

The Lubbock County medical examiner has ruled that Michael Nicholson's June 6 death was caused by a physical altercation with asphyxia. Nicholson was partially on a bed when someone laid over his upper torso before he became unresponsive at the Lubbock State Supported Living Center, according to the autopsy report released Friday.

Nicholson's mother, Lilly, said employees at the center, formerly called the Lubbock State School, dressed her son before starting CPR. She said her son had the mental capacity of a 2-year-old and had been in the facility for 30 years. The autopsy report said Michael Nicholson had a "history of psychiatric and behavioral problems with episodes of combative behavior."

Six employees were fired for their involvement in Nicholson's death.

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