DECATUR, Ala. – Security camera footage from the Morgan County Jail has been obtained by News 19 following the death of Decatur resident John Scott Jr.
The video shows several corrections officers dragging Scott across the jail floor.
Scott, 39, died on April 22. On April 15, during a mental health distress call, Decatur Police Department officers tased him and struck him multiple times during a violent arrest. That encounter was captured on police body cam footage which was later released by the Decatur Police Department. Scott was transported to the Morgan County Jail after that arrest and was later hospitalized. He died in the hospital.
One clip shows Scott being dragged from the police cruiser upon his arrival to the jail. Scott was handcuffed and wearing a “spit guard” that police put on him. A spit guard is a mesh-like sack placed over a person’s head to prevent them from spitting or biting personnel.
Another vantage point shows Scott belly-down on the floor, still cuffed and being lifted through a corridor by multiple sheriff’s office staff members.
A third camera appears to show several employees standing over Scott as he lies on the floor.
Eventually, the county jail employees can be seen dragging Scott by his feet into a nearby cell.
Last week, News 19 asked the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, who manages the jail, for its account of Scott’s time there before being taken to the hospital.
Morgan County Sheriff’s Office spokesman provided the following account
“Mr. Scott arrived at the jail at approximately 8:50 and was transported by medical at approximately 10:10. Mr. Scott initially resisted and was non-compliant when he arrived. However, once inside booking this stopped. He was cuffed when he arrived. Shackles were placed on his ankles to prevent him from kicking while being brought into Booking. The cuffs and shackles were removed once he was placed in a holding cell.
While in the holding cell he was conscious and interacted with Correction Officers until medical attention was needed.”
The sheriff’s office also told News 19 no Morgan County Sheriff’s Office personnel were disciplined in connection to Scott’s treatment at the jail.
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