JAIL INMATE DIED OF CYANIDE POISONING

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Cyanide poisoning killed an inmate who died
within an hour of being booked into the Lane County Jail on a
conviction for attempted rape, sex abuse and assault.

Christopher Todd Day, 29, was facing at least 75 months in prison in a
March 14 attack on a woman he had followed home from a Eugene nightclub.

He had no prior criminal record.

Detective Spence Slater said it had not been determined Wednesday how
Day got the poison, how he concealed it or when he took it.

"This (cyanide) had to be pretty pure and pretty small," Slater said.
"I am interested in knowing where he got it."

Deputies followed all the usual search and security procedures in
transporting Day from the courthouse to the jail on Aug. 4, he said.

Day was taken into custody immediately after the verdict was
read.

"The cold, hard fact is he had made a decision this was going to occur
if he was found guilty," Slater said.

Deputies did a pat down outside the courtroom to look for weapons,
then took Day to a holding cell in the courthouse, Slater said.

Before placing him in the cell, deputies turned Day's pockets and
socks inside out to search for weapons and contraband. His tie, belt
and shoes were removed under normal procedures to prevent suicide,
Slater said.

At the jail, Day was searched again before he was issued jail
clothing.

"Under the guidelines, they don't strip-search someone unless they're
in on a drug offense," Slater said. "Obviously, he had something
hidden somewhere."

Day was interviewed to determined whether he had suicidal
thoughts.

He assured the deputy that he did not, and that he would inform jail
officials if he did, Slater said.

About 50 minutes later, Day didn't respond when jail deputies checked
on him. They began CPR and summoned medical help.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry