Richmond man dies days after being tased at Madison County jail, family files wrongful death lawsuit

RICHMOND, Ky. — The family of a 44-year-old Richmond man who died days after being tased multiple times at the Madison County Detention Center has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the jail and county officials.

Johnathon Mansfield, described as a husband and father with no history of violent crime, suffered cardiac arrest on September 27, 2024, following an incident at the jail, and later died on October 10, 2024, according to court documents.

The lawsuit alleges that Mansfield’s death was the result of “actions, inactions, conscious disregard, willful and wanton, and depraved behavior” by jail staff and other defendants.

Authorities say the incident began when Mansfield was arrested late on September 27 for public intoxication. Police reports state Mansfield had gone to Baptist Health Richmond, admitted to using methamphetamine, and fled the hospital, reportedly running toward the Eastern Bypass and attempting to jump on moving vehicles. Officers considered him a danger to himself and others.

Court documents claim that once at the detention center, Mansfield was subjected to roughly 40 taser or G.L.O.V.E. electronic shocks while restrained, then placed in a spit mask despite showing no threat. The lawsuit describes him being held in a restraint chair for 55 minutes, moved to isolation, and subjected to additional tasing by two deputies.

According to the lawsuit, video footage shows Mansfield lying calmly in his cell before deputies reportedly rushed in, restrained him in a full-body device, and left him alone as he appeared to go into medical distress. Staff allegedly waited around 10 minutes before recognizing he was in cardiac arrest and initiating life-saving measures.

Mansfield was transported to two hospitals and died days later at UK Hospital. The lawsuit notes that the Madison County Sheriff’s Department investigation cited a treating physician who believed Mansfield’s cardiac arrest was caused by repeated tasing at the jail.

Kentucky State Police are continuing their investigation and plan to provide their findings to the commonwealth’s attorney.

This report was compiled using information gathered from law enforcement statements, official press releases, and publicly available news sources.

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