A former jail officer from Galveston County has been officially charged with criminally negligent homicide after being accused of kneeling on an inmate’s neck, which led to the inmate’s death. The tragic incident has sparked public outrage and brought serious questions about how inmates are treated inside jails.
What Happened to Saul Vargas?
The inmate, Saul Vargas, was 39 years old when he was booked into the Galveston County Jail in September last year. He was arrested for evading arrest and burglary. According to his wife, Candelaria Palacios, he was going through a difficult time but was trying to turn his life around.
She shared that she had encouraged him to stay strong and use the time in jail to reflect and plan a better future. “He said he was going to fix it,” she recalled in an emotional interview.
But just eight days later, Palacios was called to a hospital where she found her husband brain dead, covered in vomit and taser marks.
What Did the Investigation Find?
An investigation led by the Texas Rangers lasted almost a year. Vargas’ death certificate confirmed that he died from asphyxia—a condition caused by neck compression, meaning he could not breathe properly due to pressure on his neck.
Recently, a Grand Jury indicted former jail officer Skyler Chapman for criminally negligent homicide. According to court documents, Chapman knelt on Vargas’ neck, which led to his death.
Chapman was booked and later released on a $20,000 bond. If found guilty, he could face up to two years in jail, as per the statement released by the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office.
Family’s Pain and Demand for Justice
Vargas’ family has spent nearly a year demanding answers. Palacios, who is recovering from throat cancer, could not speak for a time and relied on relatives to speak up for her husband.
“We’re his voice now,” she said. She believes that jail should be a place of correction—not where people lose their lives.
Vargas’ sister, Priscilla, also shared her pain. “People go to jail for mistakes, but that doesn’t mean they should be treated like animals,” she said. “These officers are supposed to protect, not harm.”
A Call for Accountability
Now, the family is grieving a loss that they say two years of jail time can never make up for. “Two years is not enough,” Palacios said. “They took him from us. He won’t see his son graduate or meet his grandkids. He’s gone.”
This heartbreaking story sheds light on the urgent need for reform in jail practices and accountability for officers, especially in cases involving excessive force. The family hopes their struggle will lead to better treatment for other inmates in the future.
