Melvin Stubbs had been a patient of mine for almost three years at La Clinica de la Raza. He was a diabetic amputee that needed a wheelchair to get around. During the last few months, we were fighting hard to get him out of a tough situation and on to a path where he could flourish. However, last week, suddenly, I was notified that he died while being held at Santa Rita Jail for a crime he did not commit.

There are various news reports about the tragedy. Here are a couple of them:
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oakland-arrest-murder-alameda-jail-death-20160309-story.html
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_29612858/inmates-death:-oakland-family-lashes-out-over-mans-mistaken-arrest-and-death

This is a tragic and unjust death for a patient that was very dear to my heart.

I knew him to be a kind and gentle man that never complained despite all the challenges in his life. His family knew him to be a good, caring and wonderful person. He is survived by 3 grown children, Gerard, Megan and Timothy, and his former wife, Margo.

I cannot imagine what it would be like to have your partner pass away of natural causes and then get unjustly whisked away for her MURDER, when you are actually in mourning. I cannot imagine what it would be like to not be able to attend to your own physical and medical needs for two days at home, and THEN not get the medical attention you need when your physical condition is reaching crucial levels. I cannot imagine to have this be the last few days of your life.

Please help his family bear the financial burden of his burial and funeral. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated by the Stubbs and Primas family.

Sincerely,

Astha Kanani