Family of dead prisoner says guards ignored needs

The family of a mentally ill Colorado prison inmate who died while in restraints has filed a lawsuit alleging guards ignored his medical needs.

A federal lawsuit filed Thursday says at least 16 staff members did nothing to help as 35-year-old Christopher Lopez died at the San Carlos prison in March 2013.

The suit says guards chained and shackled Lopez after finding him unresponsive on the floor of his cell. The suit says Lopez suffered a series of seizures but guards left him to die face-down on the cell floor.

The suit says the incident was captured on prison cameras.

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Adrienne Jacobson says the agency cannot comment on pending lawsuits.

She confirmed three employees were fired and five were reprimanded after Lopez’s death.