A Georgia man who died in September while incarcerated died from severe neglect, his family’s legal team announced on Monday.
CrimeOnline obtained a copy of Lashawn Thompson’s independent autopsy report, which stated that he also suffered from dehydration, malnutrition, and severe body insect infestation.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thompson’s legal team, alongside high-profile lawyers Ben Crump and Michael Harper, presented these findings at the State Capitol as Fulton County jail receives constant backlash as 64 inmates have died there between 2009 and October 2022.
While the May 20 report also listed “untreated decompensated schizophrenia” as a contributing factor, Dr. Roger Mitchell, a forensic pathologist from RAM Consulting, deemed Thompson’s death a homicide.
Mitchell also noted that Thompson, 35, lost 18 percent of his weight — or 32 pounds — in less than three months. Thompson reportedly tested negative for Haldol, an antipsychotic drug that treats hallucinations associated with schizophrenia. Thompson was said to have been prescribed that medication.
The examination also uncovered an “innumerable number of insects” on Thompson’s head hair, face, facial hair, nose, mouth, chest, pubic area, arms, and legs.
Mitchell explained that this case is a homicide because Thompson, who had schizophrenia, was deprived of care and medications crucial for day-to-day living and survival.
“Mr. Lashawn Thompson died due to severe neglect. The combination of dehydration, rapid weight loss, and malnutrition complicated by untreated decompensated schizophrenia led to a fatal cardiac arrhythmia of Lashawn Thompson,” he wrote.
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“Had Mr. Thompson received adequate care during his incarceration at the Fulton County Jail than he would not have died at the time that he did.”
Thompson had been charged with simple battery and had been housed at Fulton County jail for three months. The family’s attorney said Thompson was schizophrenic but was otherwise physically healthy when he entered the jail.
In their report, the Fulton County medical examiner wrote that Thompson’s body showed no signs of trauma and deemed his death undetermined. However, the report also noted that the jail had a “severe” bed bug infestation. Additionally, the family’s lawyer provided pictures that apparently show Thompson’s face and torso covered with bugs and bug bites. Other pictures reportedly show the filthy jail cell Thompson was housed in.
It is unclear whether criminal charges will be filed in this case.
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[Featured image: Lashawn Thompson/Facebook]
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