DA Indicts Deputy in Inmate's Death Case

Charges Filed Against Sheriff’s Deputy in Inmate’s Death

Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree has filed charges against a sheriff’s deputy in connection with the death of an inmate in July. The case involves Richard Fatherley, who is accused of second-degree murder or, alternatively, involuntary manslaughter. The incident has sparked significant attention and concern within the community.

Details of the Incident

On Saturday, July 5, at approximately 8:30 p.m., 50-year-old Charles L. Adair was found unresponsive in his cell at the Wyandotte County Detention Center by medical staff. Efforts to provide life-saving measures were made, but he was pronounced dead by emergency responders just before 9:20 p.m.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), Adair had received medical care for a pre-existing wound on his leg earlier that evening. After treatment, he reportedly resisted being taken back to his cell. He began yelling, refusing to follow commands, and physically resisting sheriff’s deputies. This led to him being handcuffed and returned to his cell, where he was placed on the bottom bunk.

As deputies attempted to remove Adair’s handcuffs, he continued to resist, according to the KBI. Eventually, the handcuffs were removed, and the deputies left the cell. However, shortly after, medical staff were called to evaluate Adair and found him unresponsive.

The KBI agents noted that they did not observe any "obvious signs of physical injury to Adair resulting from the incident."

Background on Adair

Adair had been arrested just one day prior, on Friday, July 4, for failing to appear on multiple traffic violations. His arrest marked the beginning of what would become a tragic sequence of events.

Autopsy Findings

The final autopsy report revealed that the coroner ruled Adair’s cause of death as complications of mechanical asphyxia. Contributory factors included hypertensive cardiovascular disease and hepatic cirrhosis due to chronic alcoholism. The manner of death was determined to be homicide.

A recent coroner’s report filed in Wyandotte County indicated that an officer was kneeling on the back of Adair during a struggle at the county jail before his death.

Response from Authorities

As part of its standard procedure, the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office has placed Fatherley on unpaid administrative leave while the criminal charges are being processed. The sheriff’s office emphasized their compliance with state law, including prompt notification to the KBI and ongoing cooperation during the investigation.

Dupree mentioned that Fatherley works in the Wyandotte County Detention Center and is not a certified law enforcement officer. During a news conference, Dupree also stated that due to potential conflicts of interest, his office may request an out-of-county judge to oversee the case.

Upcoming Hearing

Fatherley is scheduled for a hearing at 9 a.m. on November 18, 2025, at the Wyandotte County District Courthouse. The case will continue through the criminal justice system as it moves toward a final disposition.