Two former security guards at MedStar Washington Hospital Center were indicted Tuesday on charges of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 74-year-old patient James E. McBride, according to The Washington Post.
Mr. McBride died last fall after an incident with the two former guards, Clifton Montgomery and Charles Brown. On Sept. 29, Mr. McBride left the Washington, D.C.-based hospital without being discharged or signing discharge papers. When a nurse and a security guard found the patient outside, they led him back to the building and transferred him to two security guards.
A struggle occurred and the patient was taken to the ground by the guards. One guard used "hand controls" to restrain the patient, and a nurse and rapid-response team had to resuscitate the patient, who was then taken to intensive care. Two days later, he died of blunt-force injuries to the neck, spinal cord and vertebrae. The death was ruled a homicide in January.
The two officers were removed from their jobs in November. They each face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Mr. McBride's family has not spoken publicly about the events surrounding his death. On Tuesday, the hospital told The Post that it had reached a settlement agreement with the family.
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