Jail death investigated

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the weekend death of a Eufaula Jail inmate. <br><br>Darrel Wayne Stafford was found hanged in his cell about 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 19th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the weekend death of a Eufaula Jail inmate.

Darrel Wayne Stafford was found hanged in his cell about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, police said.

Pittsburg County authorities arrested Stafford, 41, of Springdale, Ark., early Saturday for a domestic disturbance between him and a friend he was living with, Police Chief Larry Osmond said Wednesday.

When it was learned that Eufaula police had an arrest warrant for Stafford for not paying a fine after he pleaded guilty to public intoxication, he was jailed, Osmond said.

``He had been drinking a little bit, but wasn't staggering or anything,'' Osmond said. ``There was no foul play _ he was in a cell by himself.''

A jailer called a police lieutenant after finding Stafford hanging, Osmond said.

State jail inspectors also are looking into the matter, he said.

Stafford had arrests for failure to appear, public intoxication and other misdemeanors in Arkansas, as well as criminal mischief, criminal misconduct, fleeing from an officer and third-degree escape, Osmond said.