Published: June 25, 2008 03:46 pm         

GBC inmate found dead

Texas Ranger Trace McDonald is investigating the death of a Gun Barrel City inmate in its city jail Sunday.

James Kenneth Mitchum, 41, of Gun Barrel City, was found hanging in a cell while in custody of the Gun Barrel City Police Department.

Mitchum was being confined for operating a motor vehicle with an expired driver’s license and failure to maintain financial responsibility.

Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace, Dale Blaylock, who pronounced the man dead, said Mitchum had torn his own T-shirt into strips, and then tied them in knots to make a noose for himself.

Mitchum’s body was released to the custody of Eubanks Funeral Home.

Because of the nature of the death, the body was sent to Southwest Forensics Institute in Dallas for autopsy, and Texas Ranger Trace McDonald was called in to investigate.

The preliminary ruling was death by hanging.

Charles Stiff contributed to this story

     

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