Lawsuit raises questions about a coroner’s ruling in the death of Nevada prisoner after beatings

By GABE STERN and RIO YAMAT
Associated Press/Report for America

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The mother of a Nevada prisoner who died in custody has filed a wrongful death lawsuit calling into question the coroner’s narrative that her son died of heart problems. The lawsuit filed late Thursday in Clark County District Court says Christian Walker died last year after being viciously assaulted by prison guards. The coroner’s office concluded injuries to Walker’s head, face, hands, torso and extremities did not cause or contribute to his death. Annette Walker is seeking a jury trial and punitive damages in her son’s death of at least $3 million. The Nevada Department of Corrections and the county coroner’s office declined to comment Friday.