He was ‘peacefully’ resisting arrest.
Via The Advocate
The family of a Jennings man who died at the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail shortly after he was arrested has filed a lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Office asserting sheriff’s deputies violated the man’s constitutional rights and used excessive force that led to the man’s death.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court on Tuesday, also accuses Sheriff Mike Cazes of failing to properly train his deputies and provide adequate supervision in the Nov. 26 arrest of Ervin Edwards.
The lawsuit claimed sheriff’s deputies used a stun gun on Edwards, 38, after he had a minor altercation with his girlfriend in the parking lot of the Chevron gas station on La. 415 in Port Allen.
Edwards died at the parish jail around 6 p.m. Nov. 26 where he was being held on resisting arrest and disturbing the peace, according to court documents.
The lawsuit says unidentified sheriff’s deputies used the stun gun on Edwards, which the family’s lawyer thinks may have led to Edward’s death.
“Even if this was a legitimate arrest you don’t have the right to kill someone,” attorney Joel Porter said Wednesday. “He was tased after the deputies were informed about his medical conditions. And not only did they tase him, they beat this man. I can assure you this family wants justice.”
HT: Louisiana Student