Watch CBS News

Jury Clears Corrections Officers In 2013 Inmate Death

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A federal jury has cleared six corrections officers of wrongdoing in a lawsuit filed over the 2013 death of an eastern Pennsylvania inmate.

Thirty-nine-year-old Alphie Herrera Sr. of Bethlehem died in February 2013 at the Lehigh County Jail in Allentown. The coroner said he had a seizure while being physically restrained in a chair.

The lawsuit filed by Herrera's ex-wife, Carmen Rivera, alleged that he was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment and denied crucial medical attention.

A jury on Friday said county jail officers didn't deny Herrera treatment or use excessive force.

Defense attorney David MacMain said the guards "had a difficult job and tried their best to help Mr. Herrera."

Rivera said "we wanted justice and justice wasn't served."

Prosecutors earlier said no criminal charges would be filed.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.