Lawyer talks wrongful death lawsuit against police officers, Henry County
JACKSON, Tenn. — We received information of a lawsuit against a local county for the death of a man who was being taken into police custody during a traffic stop.
The lawsuit alleges on April 20, 2024 Daniel Russell died while in the custody of Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency officers.
According to a lawsuit, on April 20, 2024 Daniel Russell, also known as “Danny,” was pulled over for erratic driving by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Attorney Christopher Smith, the lawyer representing this case, alleges in the lawsuit that officers violated Russell’s established rights as a citizen under the 4th and 14th amendment.
Both Henry County Deputy Sheriff Frankie Scott and Henry County Sergeant Blake Jenkins were named in the lawsuit. As were Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Officers John Dunn and Miranda Garner.
“This unfortunate death occurred because of something called ‘positional asphyxia.’ Essentially, during the restraint, the officers did not make sure Mr. Russell was able to breathe; [that] he was not on his stomach from someone compressing his back,” said Smith.
The lawsuit also alleges, along with the failure to intervene, other officers excessive force. Smith alleges that all officers involved were deliberately indifferent to Russell’s’ medical needs.
“The autopsy report actually says that, that the cause of death was related to the back compressions,” said Smith.
The lawsuit says Russell attempted to inform officers he had a heart condition in the footage obtained by Henry County officers’ body cam.
“It took a while for some key pieces of evidence to become available, like the autopsy report. Some public records requests related to the reports and the body camera we’ve been working on it for several months,” said Smith.
According to the lawsuit, it alleges excessive force was used by deploying a taser multiple times, attempting to drive stun Russell and pepper spray him.
“Very grief stricken, ‘Danny’ Daniel Russell left behind a minor child. The lawsuit is ultimately — she is the plaintiff through her grandfather. So they’re devastated and they got a young child to raise who doesn’t have a father anymore,” said Smith.
We reached out to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office who told us they were unaware of the lawsuit and didn’t have a comment at this time.
We also reached out to Henry County Attorney Rob Whitfield, who told us he was unable to comment on any ongoing litigation.
The TWRA stated:
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is aware of a lawsuit in which two TWRA law enforcement officers are named as defendants. The incident occurred while the officers were assisting a local Sheriff’s Office. As this matter is currently in litigation, the Agency will not comment on the specifics of the case. TWRA will work closely with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office to support the legal defense of its employees.
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