El Paso County commissioners to consider $750,000 jail-death settlement
The proposed agreement assigns $500,000 to the county and $250,000 to its insurer; it would take effect only after required approvals.
El Paso County commissioners are scheduled to consider a $750,000 settlement with the family of Jamin Robertson, who died in the county jail in 2023, at their Sept. 29 meeting. The proposed agreement assigns $500,000 to the county and $250,000 to its insurer, Gemini Insurance Company. The county and Sheriff’s Office deny liability, and the agreement says the payment is not an admission of fault.
The Sept. 29 agenda includes a resolution to approve the agreement. The agreement says it would be void and unenforceable without approval from both the Board of County Commissioners and the probate court. It recites that the probate court approved the deal as to a minor child on Sept. 17.
Robertson died Sept. 4, 2023, while detained at the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center. The agreement describes a federal lawsuit brought by his estate and Melissa Robertson against the county, the Sheriff’s Office and others. It says the county and Sheriff’s Office dispute the allegations and deny liability.
If approved, the settlement would release the county, the Sheriff’s Office and other covered parties from claims connected to Robertson’s detention, care and death. It would leave unresolved claims against Wellpath LLC, its employees and Dr. Paluccio.