January 6th 2024.
Janard Geffrard, a 29 year old man, was allegedly killed by his cellmate Kevin Barnes, 35, during a Dec. 16 beating in a Broward County, Florida jail. According to investigators, Barnes admitted to beating the victim because he was “gay.”
The news of Geffrard's death was obviously a complete shock to his family according to their attorney, Josiah Graham. He told ABC News that the victim was an openly gay man and was the father of a 10-year-old son. Graham added, “It’s nothing that any parent should go through, hearing the fact that your child passed away is one thing, but to hear that they were brutally executed because they were gay — it’s just a completely entirely different scenario you’re dealing with.”
Geffrard's mother, Marcia Irving, told WSVN News that two days passed before she was notified about the beating. She was overcome with grief upon arrival to the jail. “He was already dead when I got there because it was too much time for them to give him help,” she said. Irving is now requesting an investigation into the deputy’s actions following the attack. “We just want to know what happened,” she said. “How did they let him down like that.”
The arrest report claims an official who watched surveillance footage of the incident claimed that Barnes was seen choke-holding Geffrard from behind. He was then seen in the kneeling position for two more minutes before releasing the victim and walking away. The report also added that deputies came to the cell more than 20 minutes after the start of the attack and found the unresponsive victim lying on the floor bleeding from his mouth.
In response to the incident, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Unit has opened an investigation into the incident. BSO spokesperson Carey Codd told The Miami Herald that two BSO employees are on administrative leave with pay pending the investigation.
The tragic death of Janard Geffrard has shaken the family and friends. His mother is seeking answers to what happened and why it took so long for authorities to intervene. His death due to a hate crime is a reminder of the need for tolerance and acceptance of all people regardless of their sexual orientation.
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