Joshua Messier
Wrongful Death case: Kevin Messier, special personal representative of the Estate of Joshua Messier v. Bridgewater State Hospital, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Correction. Joshua Messier was a 23-year-old male with paranoid schizophrenia who died on 5/4/09 at Bridgewater State Hospital after being restrained by correctional officers who used excessive force. The Medical Examiner ruled Joshua’s death a homicide by cardiopulmonary arrest during physical restrain with blunt impact of the head and compression of the chest while in an agitated state. L&M’s $3M wrongful death settlement exposed inhuman treatment of Bridgewater State Hosp., results in major reforms. Joshua had a long standing psychiatric…show more content… Soon thereafter, a struggle ensued between Joshua and the CO’s. Joshua was eventually placed in restraints and was transferred to the Intensive Treatment Unit. On arrival to the ITU, witnesses noted that Joshua was gasping and had difficulty breathing. An inmate heard Joshua say “I cannot breathe” he was also apologetic saying he was “sorry” and that “he didn’t mean to do it.” Even though Joshua calm and was cooperative, he was escorted into a cell where he was placed into a bed (still cuffed at the ankles and wrists). Joshua was then put into a 4-point restraints with the use of physical force. While his feet were being placed in restraints with his hands still behind his back, CO Howard pushed Joshua’s back, collapsing him forward. At one point, CO Howard admitted to using the bed for “leverage.” To make matters worse, CO Belladeau and CO Raposo further compressed Joshua’s by pushing on CO Howard’s back. Once in restraints, Joshua’s lifeless body was laid flat—not talking, not moving, and not breathing. He had blood on his face. Approximately 10 minutes went by before medical staff evaluated Joshua. On evaluation, Joshua had no
