Multnomah County poised to approve $2.5 million settlement in jail death

Multnomah County commissioners are set to vote next week on a $2.5 million settlement to the

estate of Clemente Pineda

, who died in the Multnomah County Detention Center while detoxing from fentanyl Aug. 1, 2023.

Pineda died after vomiting over the course of 24 to 48 hours while complaining of gastrointestinal symptoms “for days,” according to a medical examiner’s report.

A former Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Michael Mersereau, was

charged with first-degree official misconduct

in connection with Pineda’s death for skipping welfare checks and falsifying logbooks. Mersereau was sentenced to probation in February after being forced to resign.

Another deputy involved in the case, Kirk Evanoff, said he was fired.

Pineda was one of seven people to die in Multnomah County custody in 2023, prompting Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell to

call for safety improvements

at the county’s two jails.

“Bobby’s mother takes comfort in knowing that her son’s death contributed to a push for significant changes in Multnomah County jails,” Hala Gores, the attorney representing Pineda’s estate, said in a statement. “This settlement will provide her a measure of justice, accountability, and closure.”

A spokesperson for Gores’ office said they had reached a settlement with the county. A county spokesperson said that the settlement will be on the county commission’s agenda next week and that “the parties need to complete final terms.”

Stella Pineda drove six hours from Vale to see her son about one or two days before he died, Gores said in a written summary of the case, but she wasn’t allowed to meet with him because he hadn’t filled out the correct paperwork. So, Stella Pineda wrote her son a message.

“I miss and love you tons. I leave sad because I didn’t get to visit you,” she wrote, adding that she will take family pictures and send them to him, according to a copy provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive. “k. bye I ♥ U call me tonight ♥ you MOM”

— Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at

fzarkhin@oregonian.com

.

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