Lawsuits: Stabbings ‘Allowed’ At Oklahoma County Detention Center By Jailers

Two separate claims filed last week allege inmates were allowed to injure each other at the Oklahoma County Detention Center. 

There are scars on 25-year-old Roy Parkerson’s body. Parkerson, a former OCDC inmate, said he was allowed to be stabbed with a jail-made weapon by another inmate in Dec. 2020. 

The detention officer on duty at the time, Michael Hughes, later pled no contest to misdemeanor willful neglect of duty. 

“To add insult to injury, while Roy lay bleeding on the floor, this guard waited a significant amount of time before radioing any other officers for help or medical attention,” attorney Carter Jennings said. “For this reason, we believe Roy was injured worse than he otherwise would have been.”

Parkerson is seeking financial damages for ongoing physical harm and mental anguish. 

In another case filed in Oklahoma City federal court, 25-year-old Ta’Vion Murphy is asking for $5 million in damages after an October 2021 stabbing. 

Murphy is suing the Jail Trust, County Commissioners and a former detention officer. 

Court documents said Murphy was stabbed with a weapon nearly 30 times, which caused serious and significant injuries, including the puncturing of his heart as well as other cuts and wounds.

The documents also said Murphy needed two open-heart surgeries. 

Murphy alleged that the detention officer allowed the attackers into his cell and the stabbing to take place.  

Attorneys in both complains cited ongoing management issues at the detention center contributed to these incidents.