CHARLESTON — A personal representative of the estate of David A. Simpkins is suing West Virginia Regional Jail Authority, Karen Pszczolkowski, Jonathan M. Jordan and John Does 1-5, citing an alleged violation of state laws, failure to train and supervise, wrongful death and spoliation of evidence.
Mary Robinson filed a complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against the defendants, alleging that they failed to respond to Simpkins's concerns about threats by other inmates and that Jordan choked Simpkins to death.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Oct. 9, 2016, Simpkins, an inmate at Northern Correctional Facility, was murdered by Jonathan M. Jordan and a prison gang for failing to make extorted "rent" payments. The plaintiff holds West Virginia Regional Jail Authority, Karen Pszczolkowski, Jonathan M. Jordan and John Does 1-5 responsible because WVRJA and Warden Pszczolkowski allegedly failed to properly supervise prison guards and staff, especially after becoming aware of Simpkin's grievances and requests, Jordan caused the death of Simpkins and John Does 1-5 acted in concert with the rest of the defendants.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks an amount to be determined by the jury at trial, attorney's fees, costs, and pre- and post-judgment interests as allowed by law. She is represented by Timothy L. Eves of Eves Law Firm PLLC in Huntington, WV.
Kanawha Circuit Court Case number 18C1412