Man In Custody Dies In Hospital

BRYAN, Texas (AP) — Authorities say a homeless man in the custody of the Brazos (BRAZ'-uhs) County Sheriff's Office has died after getting sick and being taken to a hospital.

Officials say 44-year-old Melvin Earl Jones died Tuesday at St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan.

Sheriff Chris Kirk says the death apparently was due to natural causes. Authorities ordered an autopsy. Texas Rangers will help investigate.

Jones was arrested Aug. 2 after allegedly assaulting an emergency room worker at the hospital. He was charged with assault on a public servant.

The sheriff says Jones asked to see a doctor Tuesday morning. Jones was being examined by a jail physician when the inmate vomited and fell from a chair. Jones was transported to the hospital, where he died.