A Georgia household is in search of solutions after studying that Lashawn Thompson, 35, died in custody at an Atlanta jail. The household claims “insects and bed bugs” ate Thompson alive.
TSR Investigates’ Justin Carter dived into Thompson’s dying and the way it might have been averted because the household seems to carry jail officers accountable for negligence.
Thompson arrived on the Fulton County Jail in June 2022. For the subsequent three months afterward, the 35-year-old’s well being declined quickly. Yet, his household says he had no pre-existing well being situations–apart from a schizophrenia analysis–earlier than native police booked him.
Now, his household claims Thompson’s soiled, bug-infested jail cell triggered the decline and eventual dying. They revealed the cell to the general public through their lawyer, Michael D. Harper.
RELATED: Family Says Man Died In Atlanta’s Fulton County Jail After Being ‘Eaten Alive By Insects And Bed Bugs’ (Photos)
TRIGGER WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTOS AHEAD
Autopsy Photos Show Hundreds Of Bites From Insects And Bed Bugs, Family Says
Thompson was booked into the county jail for a misdemeanor battery cost. During his three months there, his household famous his psychological well being declining. However, additionally they stated he entered the jail in good bodily well being.
But, the case took a disturbing flip when the post-mortem images have been launched. The household lastly noticed the ‘hundreds’ of bites from bugs and mattress bugs throughout Thompson’s physique.
Renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump says the photographs inform all the story.
“You can see these bed bugs, these lice. They were in his eyes, in his nose, in his mouth, his ears,” Crump stated at a current press convention.
With lawyer Ben Crump now behind them, the Thompson household says they need justice and accountability.
“Lashawn laying in a jail cell, can you imagine bugs crawling all over him?” his mom Mamie Norman stated. “He was screaming and hollering and nobody comes to help him?!”
These are the DEPLORABLE and inhumane situations Lashawn Thompson needed to endure throughout his keep within the psychiatric wing of the Fulton County (GA) Jail. After his dying, he was discovered with insect bites throughout his physique. We can’t look away, we should demand justice! pic.twitter.com/mpO680k5K8
— Ben Crump (@LawyerCrump) April 20, 2023
Lashawn’s Cause Of Death Listed As “Undetermined” But Noted “Severe Bed Bug Infestation”
Thompson was discovered unresponsive in his jail cell on Sept. 12, 2022, with the post-mortem exhibiting no indicators of trauma. The reason for dying was listed as “undetermined.” However, it did be aware that there was a “severe bed bug infestation” within the jail.
I dare not share the photograph of how this poor man was present in Fulton County Jail. They will blame it on his psychological well being. Anyone and everybody that had an obligation of care to this UNCONVICTED and HIGH RISK prisoner, needs to be held accountable.#LashawnThompson #FultonCountyJail pic.twitter.com/PQfY0BWN2c
— Josh Fernie (@J_A_Fernie) April 16, 2023
Michael Harper, the lead protection lawyer within the case, says that Lashawn wasn’t the one individual to undergo from mattress bugs in his jail unit.
Meanwhile, the deplorable situations on the jail have already been beforehand publicized.
Lashawn’s dying is hardly the primary on the Fulton County Jail. Between 2009 and October 2022, 64 folks reportedly died on the correctional facility. That marks the best dying toll for any jail in Georgia throughout that timeframe.
100 Percent Of Inmates In Mentally Ill Unit Had Lice, Scabies Or Both, Report Finds
The Southern Center for Human Rights additionally present in a Nov. 2022 investigation that “medical professionals were brought in to access outbreaks at the jail.”
In one unit alone–the place mentally sick inmates are held–officers discovered 100% of inmates had both lice, scabies, or each.
It additionally discovered that 90 p.c of inmates in that unit didn’t bathe every day, get away from bed, costume, or use the lavatory. The report went on to seek out that important medicines have been being withheld from inmates as properly.
Lashawn’s brother, Brad McCray, stated Thompson’s jail cell “looked like a death chamber, a torture chamber.”
According to attorneys, jail workers was properly conscious of Thompson’s declining well being however didn’t assist. Instead, they simply watched his gradual decline.
Today, we stood alongside #LashawnThompson’s household and advocates to debate the virtually CRIMINAL remedy the 35-yo endured within the Fulton County (GA) Jail. His remedy quantities to a human rights violation that have to be accounted for!
📷: WSB-TV pic.twitter.com/MIkOzZidHh
— Ben Crump (@LawyerCrump) April 20, 2023
Sheriff Announces Three Top-Ranking Jail Staffers Are Resigning Over The Incident
Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, who oversees the jail, introduced that three top-ranking jail staffers would resign as a consequence of Thompson’s dying.
However, lawyer Harper identified that individuals who retire or resign should maintain their pensions and certifications and can doubtless go elsewhere to work.
“Why not fire them?” Harper questioned.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Labat stated that over $5.3 million in emergency funding can be offered to improve and clear the amenities and a proposal for a brand new medical supplier. Labat stated they’ve already spent about $50,000 on decontamination.
Last week, Colin Kaepernick reportedly supplied to “fund a second, independent autopsy” for the household.