Alabama man dies days after he was Tasered during arrest
A Black man who was Tasered and left hospitalized after an arrest earlier this month has died, and his family is demanding justice and accountability.
John Daniel 'LJ' Scott Jr., 39, died Tuesday from his injuries sustained in an April 15 arrest by the Decatur Police Department, his family's lawyers said.
The family's attorneys said Scott "was in the midst of a mental health crisis" and should have received immediate medical care, but instead "endured excessive force during his arrest."
"His condition worsened after being transported to Morgan County Jail, where he was left untreated until it was too late,' the attorneys said. It's not clear what the official cause of his death was.
The family is now calling for a thorough investigation into the actions of the officers involved.
Decatur Interim Police Chief Nadis E. Carlisle Jr. said the Madison County Sheriff's Office is officially leading the investigation into the circumstances of Scott's death, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and FBI may be asked to provide additional support and resources.
The arrest
Decatur police responded to a 911 call on April 15 placed by Scott's mother, "who requested assistance due to a mental health crisis involving her son," police said. The officer spent nearly an hour "engaging with Scott before clearing the scene without incident," police said.
Later that same day, at 8:15 p.m., officers were dispatched to a disturbance call at Brookridge Apartments and found Scott, "who was observed in the parking lot, sweating heavily and exhibiting erratic behavior."
Morgan County EMS was immediately requested. Officers were notified that Scott had an active warrant out of Morgan County, and officers encouraged him to voluntarily board the ambulance for a mental health evaluation and care, which he refused.
Body camera footage released April 18 shows that officers spent about 20 minutes trying to get Scott to enter the ambulance.
At the start of the footage, Scott was seen sweating excessively and wiping his face with his shirt. He was articulate and was seen shaking hands with officers, trying to make light conversation and jokes. Officers repeatedly encouraged him to enter the ambulance, or else they'd have to arrest him and take him to jail on the warrant.
Scott later appeared nervous, asking to take a moment and a few breaths. He is seen on the footage staying near the ambulance door, but he was hesitant to enter.
After about 20 minutes, the officers stated that they would arrest him and moved to do so, instructing him to turn around. Scott appeared to be mildly panicked and unable to turn around.
Decatur police said in a statement that Scott "became combative" when officers moved to arrest him.
As at least four officers moved in to arrest him, Scott is seen in the footage falling to the ground and starting to yell and howl. Officers struggled with Scott on the ground, trying to get him to turn onto his stomach and put his arms behind his back.
A Taser is heard being deployed several times as officers repeatedly order him to turn onto his stomach.
"I can't breathe!" He's heard yelling from the ground in the body camera footage. Officers are heard telling him to let go of their legs as they try to get him to comply.
Once he was cuffed, the officer ordered him to get up and into the car, but he was unable to and had to be pulled up off the ground by multiple officers.
'Due to his significant physical size and strength, officers were forced to employ measures in response to his resistance (including Taser deployments) with multiple unsuccessful attempts to gain control,' police said in a statement.
He was transported to Morgan County Jail and placed in a cell. Over an hour later, the jail staff "noticed Mr. Scott was exhibiting signs of medical distress," and an ambulance was called, police said. He was transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital and on to Huntsville Hospital for treatment.
Police said his arrest came after "a series of incidents likely linked to both medical and mental health struggles compounded by suspected drug-induced psychosis."
Meanwhile, attorneys for the family say the tragedy "follows a disturbing pattern of incidents within the Decatur Police Department" and is part of "broader systemic failures" in how law enforcement responds to those in mental crises.
It comes as the city of Decatur is reeling from a high-profile police excessive force case.
Steve Perkins, 39, was fatally shot outside his home on Sept. 29, 2023, by Decatur police as his truck was being repossessed. In that case, Mac Marquette is charged with murder in Perkins' death. His trial is set to start on June 9.
The shooting sparked protests and unrest in the northern Alabama city of 60,000 people.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Return of the Mack star Mark Morrison's team hit out as battery charge dropped
Mark Morrison, whose song Return of the Mack topped the UK charts in 1996, was taken into custody on Saturday but denied that any battery occurred at Le Bar à Vin in Palm Beach, Florida A battery charge against British singer Mark Morrison - best known for his 1996 hit Return of the Mack - has been dropped. The musician, 51, was taken into custody on Saturday after an alleged altercation at Le Bar à Vin in Palm Beach, Florida. However, the star's lawyers have today confirmed he was at the restaurant to talk to the manager and attempt to collect payment on behalf of a local singer who had performed at the venue. Although the "conversation escalated", Mr Morrison's lawyers said no physical altercation happened and now police have been able to dismiss the battery charge. In a statement, King Legal Group said: "The decision to nolle prosse (formally decline prosecution) ends what should never have been a criminal matter in the first place. "Mr Morrison has consistently and unequivocally denied that any battery occurred. There was no physical altercation—only a demand for fairness and accountability. The evidence never supported criminal intent or conduct." The legal team explained how Mr Morrison, whose track Return of the Mack spent two weeks as UK number one in April 1996, values standing up for what he believes in. However, they suggested race may have played a role in how the singer was treated. "While we are relieved the State has dismissed the charge, the underlying context cannot be ignored. The refusal to pay — coupled with how quickly the situation was criminalised — raises legitimate concerns about whether race played a role in how Mr Morrison was treated. It's not lost on us that advocating for fair pay, especially as a Black man in a position of leadership, can be met with suspicion instead of dialogue," the statement added. "Mr Morrison has spent years supporting local artists and standing up for what's right. That won't change. He is grateful for those who stood by him, and he remains committed to uplifting the artistic community in Palm Beach County and beyond. Towards that end, and in furtherance of Mr Morrison's commitment to his community, he is donating the $1000.00 (£730) bond used to secure his appearance, to Little Smiles, a local children's charity." Mr Morrison posed for a mugshot in a blue jumpsuit before he was released on Sunday morning. The musician has had a long history of both musical success and legal troubles. He burst onto the music scene in the mid-90s, enjoyed significant success with Return of the Mack. The song became an anthem of its time, widely regarded as one of the defining tracks of the 1990s R&B movement. Its success propelled Mr Morrison into the spotlight, and he quickly became one of the genre's most promising stars.
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots teacher who made ‘£60k a month' on OnlyFans struck off after pupils found saucy sex pics
The ex-physics teacher was found to be punting X-rated pictures of herself RAUNCHY MISS AXED Scots teacher who made '£60k a month' on OnlyFans struck off after pupils found saucy sex pics Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TEACHER has been struck off after pupils discovered her OnlyFans profile online. Kirsty Buchan, 34, quit her job at Bannerman High School in Glasgow after her saucy side hustle was uncovered. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Kirsty Buchan has been struck off from teaching Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 3 The ex-Bannerman High teacher was caught sharing indecent images on OnlyFans Credit: Kirsty Buchan The ex-physics teacher was found to be punting X-rated pictures of herself. Buchan, of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, called herself Jessica Jackrabbit on OnlyFans, a site where users pay a monthly subscription to access explicit content. She described herself as a "good teacher gone bad" with a "sexy tight body". Buchan advertised her OnlyFans account through Instagram, which pupils spotted, and previously claimed to have made £60,000 in just one month through the adult site. She was previously warned by her headteacher about her "poor judgment" on social media. And the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GCTS) has taken action by striking her off the teaching register. The regulation body found that Buchan had failed to conceal her identity and profession. It also concluded that her behaviour lacked integrity, as reported by the BBC. Gary Burton, solicitor and presenting officer for the GTCS, said the mum-of-one had "used her profession as a selling tool". He added that Buchan appeared to have backed up her OnlyFans work in media interviews and that Bannerman High was "now synonymous with having an OnlyFans teacher". Hundreds of pupils cheered on a teacher about to undergo lifesaving brain surgery - by rocking out to ACDC'S Thunderstruck She resigned from her position at the school in December 2022 after complaints were made. Buchan declined to appear or give evidence at the GTCS hearing. Bannerman High headteacher, Seonaidh Black, said Buchan was a "bubbly and enthusiastic" person who "wanted to do a good job". But she added that on a "couple of occasions", Buchan was unclear on boundaries with pupils concerning her social media profiles being "open where pupils could access them". Ms Black said that a colleague told her images of Buchan's OnlyFans profile were seen by S5 and S6 pupils. Senior schoolboys asked Ms Black if she had "heard the news?" and that she should "look out for Jessica Jackrabbit". Ms Black added that it was "obvious everyone knew what was going on". She tried to contact Buchan after talks with HR, but couldn't reach her. Buchan's OnlyFans profile was discovered just days before teachers went on strike over pupil behaviour. Ms Black said Buchan's activity online and the walkouts have had a "huge impact" on the school. Following a probe, Glasgow City Council said: "The council has a code of conduct that all employees should adhere to and a teacher who has actively pursued a second income on this type of website brings their school, the council and their profession into disrepute." The GTCS has been contacted for comment.
NBC News
2 days ago
- NBC News
Celebrity breast cancer announcements highlight rising rates in young women
Several young celebrities have announced breast cancer diagnoses in the past year — a public reminder that rates are rising among women under 50 in the U.S. Pop singer Jessie J, 37, revealed this week on Instagram that she has early-stage breast cancer and plans to undergo surgery later this month. Katie Thurston, former star of 'The Bachelorette,' has documented her journey with Stage 4 breast cancer on social media after being diagnosed earlier this year at age 34. And actor Danielle Fishel, known for her role on the '90s sitcom 'Boy Meets World,' revealed her diagnosis at age 43 to fans last summer. New breast cancer diagnoses in young women have gone up considerably in the last decade. From 2012 to 2021 — the most recent decade of data — the rate increased 1.4% annually in women under 50, compared with 0.7% annually in women 50 and up. The trend applies to all racial or ethnic groups, particularly Asian American and Pacific Islander women under 50, for whom diagnoses have risen nearly 50% since 2000. Black women have the highest rate of breast cancer before age 40 and are most likely to die of the disease. Women under 40 generally aren't advised to get mammograms unless they have a strong risk factor for breast cancer, such as a family history or genetic mutation. In that case, the American Cancer Society recommends mammograms starting at age 30, plus an annual breast MRI. Several breast cancer doctors said younger patients and their clinicians should be careful not to dismiss symptoms such as a lump or nipple discharge. 'The thought was always, if you had a change in your breast but you were a young woman, it was probably nothing,' said Dr. Rani Bansal, an assistant professor at the Duke University School of Medicine. 'As we're seeing more and more younger women get diagnosed … we need to take these cases seriously.' Dr. Oluwadamilola Fayanju, chief of breast surgery at Penn Medicine, said her youngest patient diagnosed with cancer was just 17. She recommended that young women with symptoms go to a center that's experienced in breast imaging. For women with an elevated risk of breast cancer, she said, 'it may be better for you to be connected with a dedicated breast provider who can keep a close eye on you and do regular exams even well before 40.' Breast cancer in young women is often more aggressive As treatment options for breast cancer have improved, the overall mortality rate among younger women with the disease declined from 2010 to 2020, according to research presented in April at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Chicago. But young women are still more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer compared with older women. One reason could be that they're not getting screened as much, so it's harder to catch cases early. Young women are also more likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which tends to spread fast and has fewer treatment options. Dr. Virginia Borges, a professor of medical oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, said all women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 35 have a higher likelihood of the cancer spreading to the rest of their bodies, for reasons doctors don't fully understand. 'It's like this great big puzzle of all these different factors that can contribute to why we see these cancers behave the way they do,' Borges said. Bansal said doctors are hoping to learn more about which treatments are better suited to women under 50. 'We need more data to better tailor our treatments towards younger women,' she said. 'A lot of the studies that are done are in older women.' Lifestyle, environment, hormones There are several mysteries as to why younger women are diagnosed with breast cancer at higher rates. Doctors generally agree that multiple factors are at play, including lifestyle, hormones and environmental exposures. Diets high in ultra-processed foods or a lack of physical activity can lead to obesity, which in turn elevates one's cancer risk. Women in their 30s and 40s have also increased their alcohol consumption in recent decades, and drinking alcohol is linked to breast cancer. Exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution, forever chemicals or microplastics could also play a role. 'By the time women now in their 40s were babies, every single baby bottle had BPA. Everyone had Teflon pans in their home. Everyone was spraying Scotchgard around their home,' said Suzanne Price, CEO of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, a nonprofit that works to eliminate exposure to toxic chemicals. Several researchers said more data is needed to definitively draw that link. 'Hopefully within the next few years, we should be having more insight into how those early life exposures drive the risk of breast cancer,' said Dr. Adetunji Toriola, a professor of surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. Some studies have suggested that chemical hair straighteners, which are predominantly used by Black women, may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Fayanju said the straighteners 'can potentially have effects on our ability to process hormones in our body and how those hormones then interact with cells in our breasts, which have receptors for those hormones.' Changes in women's reproductive lives might have some effect as well. Girls in the U.S. are starting their periods slightly earlier in life compared with decades ago. That may increase the length of time in which they're exposed to higher levels of estrogen — a hormone that in some cases can feed cancer cells. A study last year found an increase in the number of women ages 20 to 49 diagnosed with breast cancer that was responsive to estrogen. Many women are also delaying childbirth until their 30s and 40s, which increases the risk of postpartum breast cancer — cancers that occur within five to 10 years of giving birth that appear to be linked to changes in the breasts during that time. Borges estimated that there are about 18,000 new cases of postpartum breast cancer each year. 'How do you get from the millions of women who are having children without ending up with one of these breast cancers to the 18,000 or so who are going to get one of these breast cancers?' she said. 'We're still working on figuring that out. Age is important.'
