DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — The mother of a man who died while in the custody of the Decatur Police Department in April has filed a lawsuit against the City and several other officials, citing wrongful death.
The 109-page lawsuit was filed on August 29 by Paulette Tennison, the mother of John Scott Jr. The lawsuit, obtained by News 19, names six individuals from the City of Decatur, 10 individuals from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, and one person from the City of Priceville.
The lawsuit contains 30 counts filed against the defendants, claiming wrongful death, violations of an individual’s federal rights, assault and battery and more.
On April 15, Scott was arrested at Brookridge Apartments following a lengthy encounter between Scott and law enforcement. The original call came to law enforcement from Scott’s mother, Tennison, who said he was acting out of character.
Police say that the first encounter ended without issue.
“Upon arrival, the responding officer spoke with the complainant and made contact with her son, John Daniel Scott Jr. The officer spent nearly an hour engaging with Scott before clearing the scene without incident,” DPD said.
But Scott’s mother called the police again. The second encounter eventually led to Scott being hit, kicked, tased and hooded by officers. The lawsuit said the Decatur Police Department did not call a mental health liaison, as they did in the first encounter.
Decatur Police say officers responded to Brookridge Apartments the second time around 8:15 p.m. Then, DPD said officers found Scott sweating and acting erratically, and EMS was called.
Scott reportedly had an active failure to appear warrant from Morgan County, and the department said the arrest came after an “extended period of non-compliance.”
“Officers strongly encouraged him to voluntarily board the ambulance for a mental health evaluation and medical care. Despite repeated efforts, he refused,” the department said. “After an extended period of non-compliance and concern for his well-being and public safety, officers made the decision to place Scott under arrest for the warrant.”
The bodycam footage of the incident was released. WARNING: The video contains graphic language and content. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. You can watch that video here.
DPD said jail personnel found Scott was showing signs of physical distress, and an ambulance was called and Scott was taken to the hospital.
Just under one week after a call regarding his mental health, Tennison announced that Scott had died.
News 19 obtained footage from the Morgan County Jail of Scott being brought in following his death. The video shows several corrections officers dragging Scott across the jail floor.
You can watch the full video that News 19 received below. The content may be disturbing to some viewers.
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.
Decatur Interim Police Chief Nadis Carlisle Jr. said following Scott’s death that he had requested the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation provide “independent investigative assistance” to look into the circumstances surrounding detainment, medical condition, and eventual passing.
The following day, DPD released a statement saying the Madison County Sheriff’s Office would be leading the investigation into this incident.
“While MCSO retains primary responsibility for the investigation, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation may be asked to provide additional support and resources as needed,” DPD said.
News 19 asked the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, which manages the jail, for its account of Scott’s time there before being taken to the hospital.
A 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.”
You can read the full 109-page lawsuit below.
Madison County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Brent Patterson told News 19 they are waiting for final reports to release more information.
“We are still awaiting the autopsy and toxicology final reports, which are necessary before any further determinations can be made or findings released. Once those results are received and reviewed, we’ll be in a better position to provide any update on the case and any next steps,” Patterson told News 19.
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