Gershun Freeman (2022)
Overview
On October 5, 2022, Freeman was in jail when Shelby County Tennessee Sheriff's Office corrections officers approached his cell to serve dinner. Rather than use the slot in the door, officers opened the door. Freeman rushed at the officers, one of whom used pepper spray. Another officer punched Freeman, knocking him to the ground. Eight other officers joined the altercation, kicking and punching Freeman. Some officers used handcuffs as makeshift brass knuckles.[1]
Freeman escaped from the officers and ran through the jail before being slammed to the ground by a supervisor. Officers knelt on Freeman's back, neck, and head for several minutes. Freeman stopped breathing, and officers did not render aid. Freeman was pronounced dead at the scene.[1]
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the District Attorney's Justice Review Unit opened investigations.[2]
Freeman's family sued the Sheriff, the Chief Jailer, and the county for violating Freeman's civil rights.[1]
On September 20, 2023, 9 jail deputies were indicted, including:[3]
- Stevon Jones: second-degree murder, aggravated assault while acting in concert with others, assault causing bodily harm, and assault
- Courtney Parham: second-degree murder and aggravated assault while acting in concert with others
- Jeffrey Gibson: aggravated assault resulting in the death of another
- Anthony Howell: aggravated assault resulting in the death of another
- Damian Cooper: aggravated assault resulting in the death of another
- Ebonee Davis: aggravated assault resulting in the death of another
- Lareko Elliot: aggravated assault resulting in the death of another
- Chelsey Duckett: aggravated assault resulting in the death of another
- another unnamed officer: aggravated assault resulting in the death of another
The 9 deputies were placed on paid administrative leave.[4]
On October 27, 2023, 6 of the 9 deputies pleaded not guilty.[5]
Video
The incident was captured on surveillance video.[1]
On March 2, 2023, the Nashville District Attorney released the video.[6]
Officers Involved
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Nora Neus, Video Shows Cops Beat a Naked Black Man to Death With Handcuffs as Brass Knuckles, VICE, 2023-04-05
- ↑ Statement from Shelby County District Attorney’s Office Regarding Gershun Freeman Investigation, Shelby County District Attorney, 2023-02-09
- ↑ Lucan Finton, Shelby County Jail officers charged with second-degree murder in Gershun Freeman death, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 2023-09-21
- ↑ 9 deputies charged in beating death of naked Black man caught on jail surveillance video, NBC News, 2023-09-21
- ↑ 6 of 9 deputies charged in death of man beaten in Memphis jail plead not guilty, KRDO, 2023-10-27
- ↑ Jackson Brown, Video released in deadly altercation at 201 Poplar which led to the death of Gershun Freeman, ABC 24, 2023-03-03
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