Grieving Father Sues Pima County Over Son’s Tragic Jail Death

The father of Branden Roth, who was murdered in the Pima County jail, has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the county. The lawsuit, filed by John Lewandowski, claims negligence by the corrections chief and jail staff led to his son’s death.

Branden Roth was discovered lifeless in his cell on April 12. The medical examination revealed strangulation as the cause of death, compounded by severe blunt-force trauma. Roth, covered in blood with visible cuts and neck bruises, had ostensibly suffered a brutal attack.

His cellmate, King Yates, has been charged with first-degree murder. Roth, in jail for the first time on a nonviolent crime, was awaiting sentencing. Yates, on the other hand, was in custody under a $1 million bond for the alleged murder of his wife.

The lawsuit notes that Roth had a Confederate flag tattoo, which was likely offensive to black inmates like Yates. Nevertheless, both men were housed together despite their stark differences and Yates’ violent history.

In the investigation aftermath, detectives found a sock filled with batteries in Yates’ cell, allegedly used to beat Roth. The lawsuit criticizes corrections officers for failing to perform regular inmate checks, thereby permitting the extended assault on Roth.

Corrections Chief Byron Gwaltney, tasked with inmate classification and housing, is directly implicated. The lawsuit claims Gwaltney failed to protect Roth through proper inmate placement, accusing him of negligence.

Lewandowski initially sought a $5 million settlement from the county, which went unanswered, prompting the lawsuit. The Pima County Attorney’s Office has opted not to comment on the ongoing litigation.

Contact reporter Caitlin Schmidt at cschmidt@tucson.com or 573-4191. Twitter: @caitlinschmidt