The County of Marin settled two lawsuits arising from deaths of individuals held in custody at the Marin County Jail. The county will pay $500,000 to resolve claims from the October 2023 death of Dylan Baylacq, who died by suicide, and $750,000 to resolve claims from the May 2024 death of Derrek Leeds, who died from an internal medical condition.
The county disputes the allegations of wrongdoing in the lawsuits and said it stands by its employees. The settlements do not represent admissions of wrongdoing or liability, but instead reflect the county's determination that resolving the cases was appropriate to avoid the substantial costs, risks, and uncertainty of continued litigation.
"Every death involving a person in our custody is a serious and difficult event for the individual's family, our staff, and the community," said Marin County Executive Derek Johnson. "A correctional setting cannot eliminate the risk of sudden medical events that can occur in any population. We remain committed to providing appropriate care and protecting the safety and well-being of the people in our custody."
The Sheriff's Office and its county partners continuously evaluate jail operations, facilities, training, health and behavioral health services, and other practices to support the safety and well-being of people in custody. The county said it has made ongoing investments in the jail's physical facilities and continued review of policies and practices informed by experience, professional standards, and evolving best practices.