Family seeks answers after Madison County Detention Center death
(Photo supplied by family)
RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Madison County family is looking for answers after a man died following what their attorney describes as an incident inside the Madison County Detention Center.
The family’s attorney says Dion Watts was arrested Dec. 31, 2025 on a nonviolent misdemeanor trespassing charge after refusing to leave a Richmond convenience store. The attorney says Watts was dealing with a mental health condition at the time.
A Madison County arrest citation says Watts was arrested at the Redi Mart at 430 N. 2nd St. The citation lists charges of criminal trespass (third degree), disorderly conduct (second degree) and public intoxication (controlled substance). The citation says Watts was asked multiple times to leave and refused.
The family’s attorney alleges that once Watts was at the detention center and refused to leave a holding area, officers failed to de-escalate the situation and used excessive force.
The attorney says Watts was taken to UK Hospital, where allegedly died from injuries sustained while in custody, according to State Senator Keturah J. Herron. In a release, Herron said he grew up with Dion Watts and his family in Madison County.
Vic Watts, Dion Watts’ uncle, said: “My nephew shouldn’t be gone. My other nieces and nephews shouldn’t have lost their father. I shouldn’t have lost a nephew. His grandmother shouldn’t have lost her grandson. This has really been a rough time.”
ABC36 News Now received the following statement from the city of Richmond on January 16th:
“Regarding the recent tragic death of Mr. Dion L. Watts and the concerns throughout the Richmond, Kentucky community, as mayor I want to share that our community mourns the loss of a family member and friend.
The Kentucky State Police are conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances and events surrounding this loss and we await their report.
Any action taken by the city will be guided by the findings of the investigation.”
— Robert R. Blythe, Mayor of Richmond, Kentucky
