Family of man who died in Knox County custody to announce legal action
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The family of David Batts, Sr. who died after being in the custody of the Knox County Sheriff's Office, plans to announce the filing of a notice of claim against the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Attorney Ben Crump represents Batts' family. In a press release, Crump's firm wrote, that Batts, 46, was 'brutally beaten and Tased by officers.' The press release also said that his meningitis should have been treated immediately and that he should never have been taken from the hospital.
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Batts, 46, died on January 8. He was arrested at the University of Tennessee Medical Center the day before on charges of sexual battery. Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler said that Batts didn't comply with a clothing search or pat down. Because of this, they placed him in an isolation room for more than eight hours. Spangler said an officer, nurse or supervisor checked him multiple times during those hours.
Around 11 p.m., Batts refused commands and officers had to gain control of him before a nurse could check his vital signs, Spangler said. A nurse said that Batts should be taken back to UT Medical Center. Batts tried to grab and bite staff as they dressed him in an inmate uniform, according to Spangler.
Batts was taken back to the hospital around 11:34 p.m. A judge granted him a release from custody on January 8. Officers at the hospital were relieved of duties. Batts died around 11:25 p.m. on January 8. The bodycam footage has been released.
According to an autopsy, the cause of death was acute meningitis and sepsis.
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Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen said that, while Batts was injured in KCSO custody, these injuries were not the cause of his death, nor did they contribute to it, citing the medical examiner. She said that the officers responded with appropriate force. In January, she announced that no charges would be filed.
A urine analysis showed that Batts had fentanyl in his system, according to Spangler.
Batts' family and their attorneys plan to hold a press conference at noon on Wednesday. Crump also represented the families of George Floyd and Trayvon Martin.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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