On September 19 of last year, 35-year-old LaShawn Thompson was found dead in a prison cell in the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
Thompson, who three months earlier had been arrested for a misdemeanor, was serving time in the prison’s psychiatric ward.
Now the family’s defense lawyer, Michael D. Harper, claims that Thompson served time in inhumane conditions.
– He was found dead in a dirty prison cell after being eaten alive by insects and vermin. He didn’t deserve this, says Harper in a press statement that was shared among others New York Post.
In the same message, the lawyer has published photos of what is allegedly Thompson’s eaten body and face, and the dirty prison cell in which he was held.
TO SUE: The lawyer has notified a lawsuit against the prison on behalf of the family. Photo: The Harper Law Firm
sea view
Completely covered by animals
According to the jail’s forensic log, Thompson was found unresponsive in his cell. After persistent attempts at resuscitation by health personnel and the police, he was declared dead on the spot, writes the newspaper USA Today.
The cause of death is not determined in the log, but the coroner reports that Thompson’s body was completely covered in bed bugs.
– When his body was found, one of the prison officers refused to perform first aid because, according to her own words, she had tremors, says the lawyer in the press statement.
In the prison log, it will appear that prison staff must have noticed that Thompson’s health was steadily deteriorating, but that nothing was done to help him.
The police have opened an investigation into the death. The lawyer has also notified a lawsuit on behalf of the family.
Appeared after 500 days
– Never seen anything like it
Harper says that Thompson’s cell was covered in feces, insects and other critters when he was found dead.
An ethologist at the University of Kentucky, Michael Potter, says the images from the prison are “terrible”.
– I have worked with bed bugs for over twenty years, but have never seen anything like it, he adds BBC.
He points out that bed bug bites are usually not fatal. Prolonged exposure to a large number of animals, on the other hand, can lead to severe anemia, which can be fatal if left untreated.
The fear is back
Examines sanitary conditions
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, which operates the jail, has now opened an investigation.
According to a press release, the ministry has already earmarked 500,000 dollars to investigate the infestation of bed bugs, lice and other pests at the prison. They have also updated the protocols for safety assessment of sanitary conditions.
– The ongoing investigation examines details of the medical treatment provided, and will determine whether there are any criminal circumstances in the case, they write in the press release.
