The U.S. Justice Department is expressing interest in the matter of the death of LaShawn Thompson inside the Fulton County Jail.
Attorney Michael Harper, who represents Thompson's family, tells Audacy Atlanta that his office has been contacted by the federal agency's Civil Rights Division. He says they are seeking documents relating to the death of the 35 year old homeless and mentally ill Thompson, including medical records, autopsy, and incident report. Harper says that he will comply with the request.
Photos appear to show Thompson's body riddled with bites from insects and lice. Other photos show a filthy cell.
Harper says Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' office has told him that it is investigating Thompson's death. When contacted by Audacy Atlanta last week, a spokesman for Willis' office said in a statement "We can’t comment on the possibility of an investigation on this specific matter at this point. I can confirm that we do investigate and prosecute alleged crimes at the Fulton County Jail, whether by inmates or persons employed at the jail."
"I hope that there is a thorough investigation," says Harper, "that they actually do investigate the case, get subpoenas and get more documents to find out exactly what happened." He adds, "our whole goal is to prevent this from happening to another family, to another inmate. We hope they get to the bottom of what happened and if there was any criminal negligence, that they're prosecuted."
Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat announced this week that three lead jailers at the facility where Thompson died have been fired. Wednesday he appeared before the Fulton County Commission and secured $5.3 million for cleaning and other upgrades at the jail. They also approved nearly $1 million, according to a statement, for the next phase of the Jail Feasibility study, which supports forward momentum toward a new Fulton County Jail.