Inmate Dies After Jumping Off Railing

An inmate has died after jumping off a second-story railing at the Spokane County Jail, sheriff’s deputies said.

John Leonard Gemill, 30, died at a local hospital late Sunday.

A nurse arrived to distribute medication at the jail about 6 p.m. Saturday and a guard heard her asking someone what he was doing.

Gemill had climbed onto the upper railing of a second-floor open area and put his hands on the ceiling, deputies said.

Gemill turned around and jumped backward off the railing, landing on his back, deputies said.

He was in jail for first-degree attempted escape, said Sheriff’s Lt. David Wiyrick.

Gemill has a lengthy criminal record, with 35 convictions since 1985 ranging from traffic infractions to first-degree robbery, Wiyrick said.

He is the second man in six weeks to die after jumping from the second floor of the jail.

Durlyn G. Delbridge, 22, died after jumping on May 4.