Parents of Washington County inmate who died sue
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (AP) – The parents of a Washington County inmate who died in custody are suing the county, the sheriff and six jailers for $21 million.
The Johnson City Press reports (http://bit.ly/158uvEJ) Joe and Natasha Peppers claim Stewart Peppers died after he was beaten by jailers on April 29.
The suit filed in U.S. District Court in Greeneville claims guards struck Peppers in the face while he was strapped in a restraint chair and used a stun gun and chemical spray on Peppers during the course of a 20-minute beating.
The suit says there is a video of the beating.
Pepper’s parents are demanding a jury trial.
Washington County’s attorney was out of the office and unavailable for comment on Tuesday morning.
The death is under investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
