UPDATE: DA’s Office concludes no evidence to support criminal charges in death at Clackamas County Jail

UPDATE: District Attorney’s Office concludes no evidence to support criminal charges in death at Clackamas County Jail

The Clackamas County Major Crimes Team led by detectives from Canby Police and Oregon City Police conducted an investigation into the in-custody death of Matthew McCarter on Dec. 16, 2022.

Upon completion of the investigation, the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office was tasked with determining whether the use of non-lethal force by Jail Deputies on McCarter before he died of a methamphetamine-induced cardiac arrest was justified.

On March 13, 2023, the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office issued a Prosecution Decline Memo to the Candy Police Department after concluding that there is no evidence to support criminal charges against any of the deputies involved.

The DA’s Prosecution Decline Memo is available here:https://dochub.clackamas.us/documents/drupal/95e6d025-d099-4246-b4a7-3c6ddd4ba6c6

[END UPDATE]

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EARLIER: In-custody death at Clackamas County Jail

On Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, 48-year-old Mathew M. McCarter died while in custody at the Clackamas County Jail. McCarter had arrived at the Jail after being arrested by the West Linn Police Department on a charge of Stalking (ORS 163.732). During the booking process, McCarter exhibited signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance and admitted to using prior to his arrest.

While in custody, McCarter suffered a medical event. Deputies and jail medical staff performed emergency lifesaving efforts, continuing them until American Medical Response paramedics arrived, took over care, and pronounced McCarter deceased.

In accordance with standard protocol, the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team is conducting an investigation into McCarter’s death. The investigation is being led by detectives from Canby Police and Oregon City Police in collaboration with the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office.

The investigation is ongoing, and no other information is currently available. A follow-up release will be provided by the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office.

[END]

Deputy John Wildhaber
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Unit