Matthew Millar Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A former corrections officer has settled a civil case following the 2023 death of 50-year-old inmate Jason Rothe.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Matthew Millar has reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Aimee Khatib concerning the 2023 death of Jason Rothe in Concord. While Millar has settled, the civil litigation continues against the Department of Corrections and other named defendants.
Why it matters
The case highlights critical allegations regarding the oversight of the Secure Psychiatric Unit and the conduct of the facilitys extraction team. The ongoing lawsuit examines whether systemic failures in policy and training contributed to the fatal encounter.
A jury previously acquitted Matthew Millar of second-degree murder in 2025 following a one-year jail stay awaiting trial. The civil lawsuit remains active against remaining defendants, with mediation currently viewed as a potential path for resolution.
The players
Matthew Millar
He is a former corrections officer who was charged with and acquitted of second-degree murder in the death of an inmate.
Jason Rothe
He was a 50-year-old inmate who died while held in the Secure Psychiatric Unit.
Helen Hanks
She served as the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections until her resignation in May 2025.
Aimee Khatib
She is the plaintiff who filed the wrongful death lawsuit against correctional staff and the department.
Fallon Reed
She is a former employee of the department who was terminated from her position in 2026.
The details
The lawsuit alleges that the facilitys extraction team operated without a proper plan, protective gear, or a civilian nurse when removing Jason Rothe from the day room. During the 10-minute struggle, officers reportedly punched the inmate and placed him in a prone stress position on a restraint stretcher.
Timeline
April 29, 2023: Jason Rothe died in the Secure Psychiatric Unit.
Early 2024: Matthew Millar was charged with second-degree murder.
2025: A jury acquitted Matthew Millar of murder charges.
May 2025: Commissioner Helen Hanks resigned from her position.
2026: Fallon Reed was terminated from employment.
Legal Context
This settlement follows the pattern established by the 2025 jury acquittal of Matthew Millar, which addressed the criminal liability of the individual officer. The litigation now shifts focus toward institutional accountability and the liability of the Department of Corrections.
The lawsuit has brought increased public attention to the operational standards within the city's Secure Psychiatric Unit. Residents and oversight advocates are closely monitoring the case for potential mandates regarding facility safety and officer conduct protocols.
The takeaway
The resolution of this civil suit marks a significant turning point in a long-standing legal battle over correctional facility safety in Concord. The case underscores the ongoing tension between internal department procedures and the legal requirements for inmate welfare and human rights.
Further reading
For more information on local judicial processes, visit the Concord Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InDepthNH.
