Stephens Co. Jail Inmate Dies; GBI Investigating

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said Friday evening he has called the GBI in to investigate the death of an inmate at the Stephens County Jail.

Shirley said that while conducting a cell check at about 12:20 p.m. Friday, jailers found inmate Barry J. Mullinax, 24, of the Liberty/Easley, South Carolina area unresponsive in a single person cell.

The sheriff said Mullinax was found with a piece of linen tied around his neck.

According to the sheriff, jailers and medical staff immediately contacted EMS and began administering CPR until paramedics arrived.

He said that despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Mullinax could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the Stephens County Hospital.

Mullinax was being held at the Stephens County Jail on charges of Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, as well as other charges.

He was accused of stealing a car at gunpoint Monday night in Stephens County after meeting up with the local seller through Craigslist.

After stealing the car, authorities said Mullinax led them on a chase into downtown Toccoa before wrecking and flipping the stolen car on Doyle Street in downtown.

Shirley said he contacted the GBI to investigate.

The sheriff said that “whenever there is an incident inside of a facility it is always best to ask an outside, unbiased agency to conduct the investigation.”

Shirley went on to say that this process ensures transparency and allows for unquestionable integrity within the investigation.