Los Angeles, Ca. -- Jason Paschal, an African-American man accepted a plea bargain in a case where he was approached by a man angry at him for making inquiries, and defended himself with a table leg. Paschal was charged with assault, but despite having a good self-defense case, opted to accept a plea. On June 2, 2009 he turned himself into the authorities to serve his 6 month sentence.
Jason has been a brittle diabetic since 18 months old. Included in his case was a court-order to provide him with proper diet, insulin, and medical care for his diabetes. WIthin 24 hours, Jason had been denied both food and insulin and his blood sugar shot up to 400 mg/ltr.
He has had multiple seizures since incarcerated, and fell off a bench possibly breaking his arm. He was not treated for five days. When he was finally taken for medical treatment, he had a seizure while handcuffed to a hospital gurney. When he came to, he was confronted by an officer who threatened to taze him.
This morning, Jason reports that he caught a guard trying to plant contraband in his cell.
Jason's mother, Jan Paschal, a former aide with the Clinton Administration, contacted the ACLU of Los Angeles and they came to investigate. Jason reports that since the ACLU visit, "the abuse is much, much worse."
Jan is beside herself with worry. "They are either incompetent or they are engaging in torture. There is no other explanation. I worry whether Jason will survive this jailing."
Those who want more information or can suggest another avenue to address this abuse which is occurring right now within the Los Angeles Old County Jail, please contact me by e-mail at
becky_johnson222@hotmail.com.
