Blind prison inmate dies after confrontation with guards

HOUSTON A prison spokesperson said Thord Dockray, 42, housed in a prison medical wing cell alone, threw urine on prison guards the night of May 12. After Dockray refused to stop and exit his cell, guards released chemicals in his cell, to no effect. Five guards then entered the cell and restrained Dockray. He was placed on a backboard and taken to the infirmary, where he continued to be combative and uncooperative.

Dockray, who has a history of mental illness, refused treatment and was returned to his cell that night.

The next day just after noon, prison records show Dockray was found by guards lying face down in his cell. He was transported to Huntsville Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Galveston Co. Medical Examiner's Office has not yet released the cause of death after performing an autopsy.

The entire confrontation was captured on videotape at the prison. The prison spokesperson said no Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees have been disciplined or placed on leave for the incident so far.