August 5th 2023.
After a grueling two year investigation, the family of LaShawn Thompson finally has something to celebrate.
The family has reached a $4 million settlement with Fulton County, Georgia, following the death of Thompson in September 2022. The 35-year-old was an inmate at the Fulton County jail, where his family said he lived in a “torture chamber.”
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office listed Thompson’s manner and cause of death as undetermined, listing schizoaffective disorder, bipolar and acute exacerbation as “other conditions.” An independent medical review listed “untreated decompensated schizophrenia” as a contributing cause of death, dehydration, and severe body insect infestation, including lice and bed bugs, as “significant conditions.”
Attorneys Michael Harper and Ben Crump released a statement expressing their pleasure with the settlement, but noted there is still work to be done on the behalf of similar inmates. They said, “The Fulton County Commissioners’ vote speaks for itself. LaShawn’s life mattered, and together, we can demand and motivate significant change in his name. That will be the legacy of LaShawn Thompson.”
Brad McCrae, Thompson’s brother, shared his sentiment regarding the fate of the Fulton County jail. “That jail should be closed because nobody should be housed like this,” McCrae said. “It was a crazy incident that happened, and we want justice for it.”
Since Thompson’s story made national headlines, at least three jail officials have stepped down during the investigation. This settlement is a small but significant victory for Thompson’s family and a major step forward in their pursuit of justice.
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