Wrongful death lawsuit against Hampden sheriff’s office settled
SPRINGFIELD — In November 2016, James Murgolo was arrested in what appeared to be a break-in, and because of his mental health issues, a court-appointed psychologist recommended he be put in a mental health inpatient unit at the jail.
He was not sent to the specialized unit, and several weeks later, he had died by suicide. He was 32.
That's according to a recently-settled lawsuit against the sheriff, state and unnamed jail employees filed in 2019 by James Murgolo's sister and estate representative, Sarah Murgolo.
Earlier this month, the parties settled the case and asked the court to approve the agreement, a request that's still pending. The case settled for $100,000, according to Rob Rizzuto, a spokesperson for the Hampden County Sheriff's Office.
"The incident in question occurred before Sheriff Nick Cocchi was sworn into office, but it deeply shaped some of the very first safety initiatives he implemented upon taking leadership," Rizzuto said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Murgolo, and we recognize the lasting pain that accompanies a loss like this."
When Cocchi became sheriff in 2017, he ordered a review of the housing units, according to Rizzuto. "As a result of that assessment, numerous enhancements were implemented to address potential safety concerns, including the mitigation of any potential ligature points," Rizzuto said in a statement.
Between Jan. 1, 2022, and September 2025, there have been no suicides in the jail or any other facility run by the sheriff's department, according to a public records request.
Murgolo had been hospitalized in the past, and while at the jail in 2010, he was put in a unit with suicide precautions. He had told jail staff in 2010 that he worried he may hurt himself or others, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit's complaint included claims of negligence, alleging Murgolo's death came from the state's failure to protect him. The sheriff's department denied those allegations in its formal response in court. The plaintiff also complained that when the plaintiff's lawyer tried to obtain records about her Murgolo's death through a public record request, the sheriff's officed withheld most records.
Robin Scott, an attorney representing the plaintiff, said the sheriff's office showed compassion in settling the case.
"I think both sides recognize this is a very tragic situation," Scott said. "I think everyone understands the jail environment is a very difficult one that people with all kinds of diseases and problems are thrust into. We may criticize how they handled this case," he said, "but we also recognize the jail has an extremely grave and difficult responsibility to maintain custody and take care of these people."
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