The family of a Chicago-area woman found dead in a Texas jail cell last week is ordering an independent autopsy, their lawyer says.
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A lawyer representing the family, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, indicated that the authorities had told the deceased’s relatives that an autopsy found the cause of death to be “manual asphyxiation”, otherwise known as strangulation, and that the manner of death was not an accident – it was homicide.
Trying to sort out the facts are the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the FBI.
A number of calls to MBI spokesman Warren Strain have not been returned.
The American Civil Liberties Union Mississippi chapter has released a statement on the death of Jonathan Sanders, the 39-year-old Black man who was killed during an encounter with the police. At the time, the now deceased horse trainer had been riding around in a horse-drawn buggy. Lawrence, the lawyer for three witnesses, said Sanders was doing nothing illegal and didn’t resist while Herrington choked him to death.
Authorities have confirmed that there are multiple witnesses, including Herrington’s wife, who was in the patrol vehicle, and Rachel Williams, a resident who works as a jail guard in neighboring Lauderdale County.
Garner and Sanders were clearly heard saying “I can’t breathe!” according to witnesses, but in both cases the officers prevented any attempts to keep the victims alive. The next grand jury in Clarke County is scheduled to begin August 31, Mitchell has said, although he said it might be possible to recall grand jurors who met in February.
According to several witnesses, Herrington targeted Sanders after he had interrupted an argument between the policeman and a third person. When he attempted to go after it, Herrington allegedly yanked him back and “held him in a headlock” for up to 20 minutes. The Stonewall Police Department could not be reached for comment.
But Herrington’s attorney, Bill Ready Jr., said Sanders had what appeared to be illegal drugs and grabbed the officer’s gun during a struggle.
Stonewall police don’t have dashcams or body cameras, so there’s no video of the incident.
“There’s always another version of what truly happened”, Ready said. Far too many Black men die every year in police encounters, and many more are seriously injured.
“You could look from where we buried her and see right where he was at”, Kevin Johnson said.
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WTOK-TV in Meridian reports family and friends described Sanders as unselfish and a man who loved everyone. “I could understand the first time but you just don’t stop somebody and make up an excuse”. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.
