Prosecutors: Not enough evidence for charges following death of Ariz. inmate in outdoor cage

No charges in Ariz. inmate’s death in cage

PHOENIX — There will be no criminal charges following the heat-related death of an Arizona inmate who collapsed in an outdoor cage last year.

Bill Fitzgerald, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said Wednesday there wasn’t enough evidence to prosecute the case.

Fitzgerald says the Department of Corrections had recommended charges against seven officials.

Inmate Marcia Powell died in May 2009 after she was left for nearly four hours in an unshaded outdoor cage. An autopsy report showed she had first- and second-degree burns and a core body temperature of 108 degrees.

Administrators fired, suspended or otherwise disciplined 16 corrections employees over Powell’s death.

Powell was serving a 27-month sentence for prostitution.