Criminal charges against detention officers possible in two Oklahoma County jail deaths

The latest inmate to die at the Oklahoma County jail suffered a severed spine, possibly from being subdued by a rookie detention officer, The Oklahoman has learned.

Mitchell Everett Willis, 54, of Oklahoma City, was found unresponsive in his cell at 5:50 p.m. Aug. 18, about seven hours after he was booked into the jail on public drunkenness, assault and battery, and other complaints.

He was pronounced dead in his cell by an EMSA emergency medical technician at 6:09 p.m. Aug. 18 after resuscitation efforts failed.

The detention officer was reassigned Aug. 29. Acting Sheriff P.D. Taylor told The Oklahoman the officer has been with the sheriff's office 6 1/2 months. Taylor did not release the officer's name.