Jury Rules In Death Of Missoula County Jail Inmate

A coroner's jury has decided the Missoula County jail staff is not responsible for the death of an inmate who hanged herself with a telephone cord in a holding cell.

The jury made its decision Friday in the April 27 death of 27-year-old Michayla D. Brilz of Lolo. Jurors were shown a video of Brilz wrapping the cord around her neck and hanging herself, a scene that was followed by jail staff desperately trying to revive her.

Montana law requires a coroner's inquest whenever a person dies in state custody.

Brilz was charged March 17 with criminal distribution of dangerous drugs after allegedly telling her probation officer she was giving a neighbor about 20 to 30 anti-anxiety and sleeping pills a month in exchange for baby-sitting services.

Associated Press