The family of LaShawn Thompson, the man who who died in Fulton County Jail after he was allegedly βeaten alive by insects and bed bugs,β had an independent autopsy conducted to find out the cause of death. According to the results, Thompson died of βcomplications due to severe neglectβ and his manner of death is listed as βhomicide.β
The report also states that βdehydration, malnutrition, severe body insect infestationβ and βuntreated decompensated schizophreniaβ were conditions that led to his death on September 13, 2022 in the Atlanta jail. During Mondayβs press conference outside the Georgia State Capitol alongside attorneys Ben Crump and Michael Harper, Thompsonβs family expressed their anger and grief.
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βItβs enough that the bed bugs and lice sat there and ate my brother to death, but itβs the neglect that hurts me the most,β Brad McCray, the victimβs brother, stated. βThese images all over the internet, all over the media. Itβs disturbing. Itβs horrific. And itβs a big impact on my family,β he continued.
Crump added: βThere is no question this was criminal negligence.β Harper disclosed that Colin Kaepernickβs Know Your Rights Camp nonprofit organization paid for the independent autopsy. Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers player who has become known for his social justice work, made the offer after the previous autopsy released by the Fulton County Medical Examinerβs Office listed Thompsonβs cause of death as βundetermined.β
Jail records show that Thompson was arrested on June 12, 2022, for simple battery against police officials.
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