I posed that question last week, and this week the Rhino’s Scott Yost provides the answer– a confidentiality clause inserted into the $475k settlement with Guilford County at the request of Christopher Armstrong’s family.
But the confidentiality clause still does not trump public records laws. The Rhino first made the request in late November, and the request was finally granted in mid-January.
The Rhino also reports that Guilford County District Attorney “looked into Armstrong’s death, based on information provided by the Sheriff’s Department, and decided not to prosecute anyone.”
That it just so happens detention officers “didn’t make required entries in the jail’s logbook as to when Armstrong was put in and taken out of the chair” leaves an odor hanging over this case. Sheriff BJ Barnes says his department “has made changes to assure that this type of thing never happens again.” Let’s hope not.
