Photos of LaShawn Thompson's body show, what a family lawyer says are, infected insect and bed bug bite marks. Thompson's body appears to be covered with them.
The dead man's family is planning a rally this Thursday outside the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta where the 35 year old died after being held 3 months on a charge of misdemeanor battery. He'd been placed in the jail's psychiatric wing.
Attorney Michael Harper told Audacy Atlanta last Thursday that the jail cell where Thompson was held is "not fit for a diseased animal."
The Thursday rally will be held at noon and is expected to include more details about the case.
The family wants a criminal investigation into Thompson's death and for changes to be made at the Fulton County Jail. Attorney Harper says "that jail is inhumane, it needs to change." A lawsuit is pending.
The Fulton County Sheriff's Office released the following statement when requested by Audacy Atlanta:
First and foremost, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend condolences to the family Lashawn Thompson.
The manner and cause of death was listed as ‘undetermined’ by the county medical examiner. A full investigation was launched into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Thompson’s death. As a part of that ongoing investigation immediate action was taken, including but not limited to:
• approving an additional expenditure of $500,000 to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice and other vermin within the Fulton County Jail which was done in addition to prior cleaning operations targeting communicable diseases that are common in congregant settings and
• updating protocols for security rounds to include addressing sanitary conditions
The ongoing investigation is examining details regarding the medical care provided and ultimately will determine whether any criminal charges are warranted in this case.
The health, well-being and security of inmates in our care is our top priority. It’s no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained and healthy environment for all inmates and staff. That is precisely why Sheriff Labat continues to call building a new Fulton County Jail and Criminal Justice Complex which will provide an elite level of care, mental health services, security and cleanliness.
The Fulton County Commission has received results of an independent study on the jail. Commission Chairman Rob Pitts says that while the best solution to the issues at the jail would be to build a new one, it would cost nearly two billion dollars. Pitts is quoted as saying that he'd rather spend funds on "renovating, cleaning" and more.