Nine deputies from a Memphis jail have been indicted in connection with the death of Gershun Freeman, a Black man who died in custody during a psychotic episode last fall. The incident involved jailers using force against Freeman, including punches, kicks, and kneeling on his back.
The Sheriff of Shelby County, Floyd Bonner, confirmed the indictments but did not disclose further details regarding the charges or the deputies involved.
Video footage released by Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk in March showed Freeman being beaten by at least 10 corrections officers after he ran naked from his cell. He was also reportedly struck with handcuffs, jail keys, and pepper spray cannisters.
Freeman had underlying health issues, including psychosis and cardiovascular disease, and died of a heart attack while being restrained, as per a medical examiner's report. His manner of death was classified as a homicide, although it did not definitively indicate criminal intent.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy requested the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into Freeman's death, with Funk acting as an independent prosecutor.
The incident has raised concerns in Memphis, especially in light of another high-profile case involving Tyre Nichols' fatal beating by Memphis police in January.
Nichols' death led to the firing of seven police officers, five of whom were charged with second-degree murder and federal civil rights violations.
They have pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Freeman's family and Nichols' family called for accountability in separate incidents, with Freeman having been initially booked on charges of attacking and kidnapping his girlfriend.
The video evidence depicts the officers confronting Freeman, who is unclothed, in a hallway. They wrestle him to the ground and use physical force on him, including punches, kicks, and pepper spray. The struggle continues in different locations within the facility, with officers kneeling on Freeman's back.
He eventually becomes still, and medical personnel are called.
Sheriff Bonner, who is running for mayor of Memphis, has placed the deputies on paid administrative leave and defended them against allegations, suggesting that the release of the video and the indictments are politically motivated.
He expressed support for his deputies and disputed any connection between their actions and Freeman's death.
In response, Mulroy stated that he endorsed a different mayoral candidate before Freeman's death and recused himself from the investigation to avoid political influence. He emphasized his commitment to transparency.
Brice Timmons, a lawyer for Freeman's family, held Sheriff Bonner responsible for Freeman's death and criticized the policies in place.
Meanwhile in South Africa, the Limpopo police have launched an extensive search for Thabo Ali Molobela, a 35-year-old fugitive who managed to escape from police custody at Sekororo Hospital. See detailed story here
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