Inmate dies in sunflower county jail 10-11-2010

AUTHORITIES REPORT THAT AN INMATE DIES AFTER COLLAPSING AT THE SUNFLOWER COUNTY JAIL. NOW A STATE INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY INTO THE DEATH OF JOE HOWARD THORNTON.  SHERIFF JAMES HAYWOOD SAID THORNTON, 46, COLLAPSED AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 P.M. SATURDAY AT THE SUNFLOWER COUNTY JAIL.  THORNTON WAS RUSHED BY AMBULANCE TO THE SOUTH SUNFLOWER COUNTY HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD TWO MINUTES AFTER MIDNIGHT SUNDAY.  THORTON WAS BEING HELD AT THE JAIL ON AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGES FOR THE INDIANOLA POLICE DEPARTMENT. SHERIFF HAYWOOD SAID THORNTON COLLAPSED AT THE JAIL ON THURSDAY AND WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. AT THE REQUEST OF THE SHERIFF, THE MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION IS CONDUCTING A DEATH INVESTIGATION OF THORNTON'S DEATH.  NO FOUL PLAY IS SUSPECTED AT THIS TIME.  THORNTON'S BODY HAS BEEN SENT TO THE CRIME LAB FOR AN AUTOPSY.