Inmate found dead in Cedar Rapids while on court-ordered leave

A Linn County Jail inmate died Tuesday while he was out on court-ordered leave, authorities said.

James W. L. Threatt, 40, died after someone reported that he wasn't feeling well around 3 p.m. at 1415 Bever Ave. SE, Apt. 3, police said. By the time officers arrived, he had already been loaded into an ambulance.

Threatt was taken to Mercy Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Officer Melissa Henderson, a spokeswoman for the Cedar Rapids Police Department, said there was no evidence to suggest foul play at the scene. Toxicology tests have been ordered, and results could take several weeks.

The "occupant" who reported Threatt's condition, whose name was not listed in the police report, told officers Threatt may have had a heat-related condition.

An investigation was continuing.

Threatt had a history of domestic violence, according to online court records. He was most recently incarcerated when he was convicted of assault causing bodily injury after striking a woman Jan. 2 in Marion.

In 1999, Threatt pleaded guilty in connection with the death of an Iowa City man a year earlier. Threatt admitted he argued with and shoved Terry Thorn, 43, in October of 1998 outside of a Hy-Vee store. Marty Johnson, 18, was also convicted after he acknowledged that he kicked Thorn in the head. Thorn later died from numerous injuries and bleeding within his skull, authorities said.