It is difficult to separate what Farron Barksdale did from the care due him in the state penal system. As a civilized, compassionate society, we must make that leap and value human life or risk acting like barbarians.

The autopsy results released last week that said he died of natural causes answered too few questions. The report said he died of complications from bronchopneumonia with contributing factors of abnormally high body temperature, and a blood clotting disease, coagulopathy.

Four days after arriving at Kilby Correctional Facility on Aug. 8 from the Limestone County Jail, staff members found him unresponsive and transferred him to a hospital. He died 10 days later.

At first, reports said he had multiple bruises on his body, but the subsequent autopsy report ruled out external or internal trauma.

The family continues to press for access to all of Mr. Barksdale's prison records in their search for the truth. The Department of Corrections, however, isn't making them available.

Something happened to this man. Evidence suggested he failed to receive adequate medical care quickly enough to save his life. If that is the case, it brings up the possibility someone ignored his condition, possibly because he killed two police officers.

Other possible reasons for neglect each lead to another question, which makes it imperative that DOC stops stonewalling.

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