JAMES MERRITT BYRD

[Merged 2026-06-06 from AI-promoted user report GPS-260603-38B1BB (was record 1850) into this official GDC record.] In custody ~3 yrs (marijuana PWID); toothache early Jan 2022; transported to Coastal State Prison for extraction, given no antibiotics; extraction site infected -> sepsis. Family reported pain; staff delayed transport past the MLK holiday. Found dead in cell ~12:00 AM 2022-01-22 (GDC official date 2022-01-23). COVID-19 positive, held in isolation. Family attorney (Arnold Law Firm) ante litem tort notice 2022-03-07 alleging gross medical negligence, claim >$10M; initial autopsy reportedly found no blunt-force/strangulation/self-mutilation. Effingham County Prison = County Correctional Institution (facility #126). Detail: CMS Case 117 + death_report_metadata #69; Effingham records via GovQA portal. NOTE: cause_category still 6/unknown on this official record - reclassify if desired.