Wyandotte County Sheriff's deputy charged in death of inmate Charles Adair
A Wyandotte County deputy sheriff has been charged in the death of a 50-year-old man who died after being taken into custody.
Court records show Richard Fatherley has been charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the alternative for the July 5 death of Charles Adair.
Fatherley, who works in the detention center, has been placed on administrative leave, Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said.
Dupree said Fatherley is not a certified law enforcement officer.
"He received that summons this afternoon from a law enforcement officer, and that is common practice when in this county where there are charges for officers," Dupree said.
Dupree added Fatherley was cooperative with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation during its investigation.
"I do not believe that it was a concern for this office on whether or not he would continue to cooperate," he said.
An autopsy obtained by KMBC 9 Investigates found Adair died from complications of mechanical asphyxia after an officer knelt on his back. The coroner ruled the death a homicide.
Dupree did not confirm that Fatherley was the officer who knelt on Adair.
"I cannot go into detail on whether or not whether it was specifically Fatherley," he said. "What is clear, and thus, the case has come forward that Mr. Fatherley was found to....there was probable cause for him to be found responsible for his death, of course, until he is proven guilty."
The Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office issued this statement:
"As is our standard practice, Deputy Fatherley has been placed on un-paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal charges in this case. The administrative investigation being done by the Sheriff’s Office is ongoing.
From the beginning of this incident the Sheriff's Office has complied with state law in our prompt notification to the KBI and our cooperation with them during this investigation. That cooperation will continue as this case moves through the criminal justice system, and a disposition is reached.
At this time, we have no further comment.
Deputy Fatherly has been employed with us for a little over a year."
Adair was booked July 4 on misdemeanor failure-to-appear warrants tied to traffic violations.
A Kansas Bureau of Investigation news release said he was treated in the jail infirmary for a preexisting leg wound before being escorted back to his cell, where he allegedly resisted deputies.
Adair suffered rib fractures, internal bleeding and other injuries, according to the report.
Fatherley is scheduled to appear in court in November.
You can watch Dupree's full press conference below:
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