The Tarrant County Medical Examiner says 31-year-old Anthony Johnson died at JPS Hospital where he was taken after being found unconscious in a jail cell.
About an hour earlier, investigators say jailers used pepper spray on Johnson when he refused to emerge from his cell so it could be searched for drugs or other contraband.
Jailers say Johnson started fighting them so the pepper spray was used to "assist in bringing the inmate under control" as a Sheriff's office press release phrases it.
Johnson's family told our media partner NBC5 that Johnson was a Marine Corps veteran and had schizophrenia.
He was arrested by Saginaw police, who said he was standing in the street and waving a knife at drivers. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest.
The family is now calling for change. Johnson is among 60 inmates who have died at the Tarrant County Jail since 2017.
Tarrant County commissioner Alisa Simmons released a statement Monday night urging the United States DOJ to investigate the string of deaths in Tarrant County jail facilities.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube