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Vermont Man Who Tried to Kill Himself in County Jail has Died

Nathan Patnode was taken off life-support equipment.

A Vermont man arrested on drug charges in Clarkstown has died as a result of injuries sustained when he tried to hang himself in a cell at the Rockland county jail in New City, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Nathan Patnode, 21, of Essex Junction, VT, died on Saturday after he was taken off life-support equipment, according to the Sheriff's Department. Patnode had been in Nyack Hospital in serious condition since his attempt on Wednesday to hang himself by using a torn bed sheet tied to the top of a bunk bed in his cell at the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

While in the hospital, Patnode was officially released from custody, which meant a corrections officer was not needed to guard him while in the hospital. Jail officials said Patnode did not regain consciousness while in the hospital.

Jail officials are still uncertain why Patnode tried to commit suicide while he was being held in a standard cell in the “B” wing of the jail. A corrections officer spotted that there was trouble Patnode's cell at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and rushed to his aid.

Chief William Clark, head of the Sheriff's Department's Corrections Division, said that while Patnode was in the jail he did not cause any problems or appear to be distraught until he was found unconscious in his cell.

Clark said a rookie corrections officer, with less than six months working in the jail, spotted that Patnode was in trouble and went to his aid, and a second corrections officer quickly joined in the effort to revive Patnode. Clark said the corrections officers performed CPR on Patnode in the jail before he was taken to Nyack Hospital.

Patnode and another Vermont man were stopped on the New York State Thruway in Clarkstown for traffic violations late on Saturday, Feb. 19 and later charged with possession of Ecstasy, Xanax, heroin and marijuana and a stolen laptop computer, according to State Police.

Patnode was also charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs.

Both men were arraigned before Clarkstown Judge Howard Gerber in Town Court in New City and they were ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility. Patnode was being held on $100,000 bail, and Costello was ordered held without bail.

Clark said that when Patnode was brought to the jail he was screened by corrections officers who specifically look for signs that inmates might be at risk to injure themselves. Clark said there was no sign that Patnode was suicidal or should be put on special watch.

The Sheriff's Department said Patnode had problems with drug use, but did not appear to be connected to selling drugs.

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Kathleen May 21, 2013 at 08:55 am
CANDLE Night at the Rockland Boulders Game Join CANDLE for a fun(d)raising game on May 23rd as theRead More Rockland Boulders take on the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Proceeds from tickets purchased through CANDLE* will support programs that educate & empower youth and reduce substance abuse and violence in Rockland County and beyond.
Heywood Jablohme May 21, 2013 at 02:48 pm
I agree with most of your points, but surely you are not implying that teachers are expected toRead More produce funding to correct school roofs, right? I think you got a bit off topic here, but I agree that our educational infrastructure is in disrepair and is in desperate need of rehabilitation. Maybe if our teacher's unions allowed a little more leeway we could allocate funding a little more appropriately and fund the important things instead of overpaying paying dinosaur teachers who lost interest a long time ago and fight any and all forms of teacher benchmarking.
WGMom May 20, 2013 at 09:10 am
It's entirely true that every professional has out-of-pocket expenses. But as someone who worked asRead More a corporate trainer, I can guarantee you I NEVER had to pay out of pocket expenses for supplies to teach classes. Every piece of paper, supply, and even snacks for the participants were fully covered expenses. If I had to spend out of pocket money to procure supplies, I could submit for a reimbursement, and receive it, no questions asked. I am now in school to become a high school teacher and I can see the stark difference in how the education of folks in a corporate environment is incredibly different, and privileged, than the public school environment. I've sat through numerous classes in the Clarkstown and Ramapo districts, doing observations required for my education certification, and while Clarkstown certainly benefits from certain advantages, the shabbiness of being a public school is still there. Furniture, such as teacher desks, that looks like it was purchased in a garage sale 30 years ago... faculty bathrooms that are dark and dingy, nearly crumbling, and sorely in need of updating. Etc. The public expects teachers to have professional training, act professionally, but they lack sometimes basic resources and are expected to function in an environment that feels more like a dungeon than an institution of learning. The citizens of Clarkstown, if they could get a tour of some of the facilities they are expecting children to learn in, and teachers to teach in, would be very surprised. We do supply some great technology, but then we put it in classrooms with windows that won't stay closed when it's windy, as one example. I spent most of my time in South, which is the best of the bunch, facilities-wise. Clarkstown North is a mess, Woodglen's woods are littered with fallen trees no one's cleaned up after Sandy, Laurel Plains had to be shuttered thanks to that whole foul stench... the district is in a situation where there are major capital improvements that are going to be needed. Buildings are aging, and it seems it's only the most basic of upkeep that happens. The district can't even fix the roofs of the buildings without applying for a state grant.
Heywood Jablohme May 18, 2013 at 07:17 am
What professional doesn't spend $500 per year on out of pocket expenses related to their jobs?Read More Staples offering 10% (or 5 in some cases) is hardly an example of the community getting involved. Thankfully, there are other examples of the community and PTA's getting involved and providing needed services. Clarkstown and surrounding areas hardly have substantial unmet needs in their classroom, thankfully.
Truth4all May 16, 2013 at 11:37 am
I guess better late than never. LaCorte is serving his 4th year as Mayor and was Trustee for I thinkRead More 4 years before that. This year is the only time he has brought the idea to the village about participating in this program. He is motivated by the opportunity of getting positive press for his County Executive campaign. The village should have been involved in this program ( as well as the Americorps program) long before this. On a positive note, hopefully the Village will continue this worthwhile partnership for many years to come.