The office of Daniel Shue, the Sebastian County Prosecutor, issued a statement on Thursday afternoon following the death investigation of Roger Dale Robinson.
On November 26, 2019, Robinson, an inmate at the Sebastian County Detention Center, began having breathing issues and notified jailers by beating on his cell door. At approximately 2 a.m., Sebastian County Detention Center deputies responded and attempted medical intervention.
Robinson was transported to Baptist Health Hospital and at approximately 3 a.m., was pronounced dead.
“I have personally reviewed the entire Arkansas State Police investigation file, which includes interviews with the Detention Center staff, Sebastian County Sheriff deputies, inmates within the Sebastian County Detention Center, and the autopsy report before making this decision,” stated Shue. “It is the opinion of this office that no criminal charges can be filed against any person with regard to this death.
Robinson had been incarcerated at the SCDC since November 6, 2019, on charges of domestic battery in the third degree. While in the jail, Robinson had been receiving medical treatment.
The autopsy performed on December 1, 2019, ruled Robinson’s cause of death was “hemopericardium due to Acute Aortic Dissection due to Hypertensive Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease” with a contributory cause of “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.” Robinson’s death was ruled as natural. “In layman’s terms, this is an accumulation of blood in the pericardial sac, which leads to reduced cardiac output. In turn, this was caused by a rupture of the aorta resulting in a sudden, unexpected death. Lastly, contributing to the death was Mr. Robinson’s high blood pressure and the plaque build-up in his arteries. Considering the totality of the circumstances and the applicable law, no criminal offense has been committed,” concluded Shue.
