Mississippi man awaiting trial for shoplifting dies in Louisiana prison

A Mississippi man awaiting trial for shoplifting has died in a Louisiana prison.

Blarrington Ashley, 53, of Natchez, was in the custody of the Concordia Parish Correctional Facility when he died.

Ashley had been indicted by an Adams County grand jury for shoplifting more than $1,000, said Natchez Police Chief Cal Green.

Because of the unsafe conditions in the Adams County Jail, the Adams County Board of Supervisors and the City of Natchez contract with the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office to house inmates.

Ashley was found unresponsive last week in the Concordia Parish facility.

Brandy Spears, a spokesperson for the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, would not release any information about Ashley’s death pending autopsy reports and a complete investigation.