DOVER, Del. – The family of an alcoholic man who died in custody has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Delaware prison officials and medical workers.
The suit filed Wednesday claims that prison workers acted with deliberate indifference toward 48-year-old Ronald Shoup and used unnecessary and unjustified force to restrain him after he became agitated and aggressive.
Shoup was imprisoned in Sussex County in February 2014 after showing up drunk at a hearing regarding his fifth DUI charge.
His death was ruled a homicide from blunt force injuries. Autopsy results cited in the lawsuit indicated severe bruising on his upper body and multiple broken ribs.
The attorney general's office concluded in December that there was no basis for criminal charges in Shoup's death.
Department of Correction officials declined to comment on the lawsuit.
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