A Washington prison inmate with a life-threatening food allergy questioned the breakfast that later killed him, according to a video obtained by KIRO 7 through a public records request.
In July 2012, Michael Saffioti, 22, turned himself in to Snohomish County authorities after failing to appear for a court date for a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge, Gawker reported via KIRO-TV.
Because Saffioti had spent time in the county jail before, the prison had a medical file that detailed his extreme dairy allergy, which led to his death.
"Our theory is that they absolutely knew about Michael's medical needs," said Cheryl Snow, the attorney for Saffioti's mother, Rose.
More than a year later, the video footage of the incident was released to the press.
The video shows Saffioti apparently discussing his food with others in the prison, including the guard and servers.
"We know that he asked questions and made inquiries and he was assured the oatmeal in the food was safe for eating," Snow said.
Minutes after eating the breakfast, Saffioti was back at the guard desk, using his inhaler. He then asked to see a nurse, according to the legal claim, but he was instead sent to his cell. The 22-year-old jumped up and down and pressed his call button, which was ignored, says the legal claim.
Saffioti was found unconscious about 30 minutes later. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead within the hour.
"This video shows Michael clearly made his needs apparent, that his needs were ignored. Once he suffered distress he was further ignored," Snow said.
Saffioti is one of eight people to die at Snohomish County Jail in the last three years, according to Opposing Views.
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