Emily Rice Relatives March In Protest

By Nick Martin Denver Post Staff Writer

Relatives of Emily Rae Rice, who died last year in Denver's jail, had a message for city officials today: "We're not going away."

The woman's parents and siblings were attending an evening protest led by Denver CopWatch in front of the jail and Denver Health Medical Center.

"They just can't stall and wait for us to leave," said her sister, Ginny Rice.

About 15 protestors, including the family, called for the firing of a nurse at Denver Health, where the 24-year-old woman was taken following a car crash.

She was later sent to the jail on suspicion of drunken driving, where she bled to death from internal injuries in February 2006.

Denver CopWatch and members of Emily Rae Rice's family marched from Denver Health Medical Center to the Denver city jail Sunday to protest the handling of the investigation into Rice's death and call for changes including:

• The immediate firing of the nurse on duty when Rice died.

• Regular, unannounced inspections, by an outside party, of all police holding facilities.

• An independent review of all policies and procedures by the Denver Sheriff's Department and treatment of prisoners by Denver Health Medical Center.

Protestors also called for an independent audit of the jail, which they likened to Iraq's infamous Abu Ghraib prison.

Rice's relatives have filed a lawsuit against the city and hospital, seeking damages.

In the past, city and hospital officials have declined to comment, citing the lawsuit.

The Denver Post