County settles $1.1 million jailhouse suicide case.

The mother of Joshua Claypole, who hanged himself while in custody after allegedly stabbing a Monterey taxi driver to death, will receive a $1.1 million settlement in a suit that claimed medical malpractice led to her son’s suicide.

Monterey County, the city of Monterey and California Forensic Medical Group, which provides medical services at Monterey County Jail, agreed to settle the case that was then dismissed by U.S. District Court Judge Beth Labson Freeman March 30. Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula was dropped as a defendant.

In the settlement, Monterey County will pay $366,000 and the city of Monterey $5,000, with the remainder covered by insurance and CFMG, according to Monterey County Counsel Charles McKee.

The suit stems from tragic events in May 2013, when Claypole was displaying signs of severe psychological distress. On May 1, he went to CHOMP’s behavioral health center for help, but security removed him after he was found in a restricted area.

Later that day, Claypole got into a taxi driven by 44-year-old Daniel Huerta of Salinas. At some point during the ride, Claypole stabbed Huerta multiple times, and he died from his wounds in an Enterprise Rent-a-Car parking lot on Del Monte Avenue. Claypole went on to carjack a vehicle and was then apprehended in Seaside.

On May 4, Claypole’s mother, Silvia Guersenzvaig, attempted to bring her son his psychotropic medication in jail, but officials refused to accept the pills or allow her to visit.

Hours later, he hanged himself in his cell with torn bed sheets.