Families of Gershun Freeman, Tyre Nichols call for prosecutions in Freeman's death
A standard was set when the city of Memphis quickly released video of the beating of Tyre Nichols and the officers involved were subsequently fired and charged, said attorney Jake Brown Friday.
But that standard, he said, has not been followed by the Shelby County Sheriff ’s Office in the death of Gershun Freeman, who died after a “physical altercation” with correctional officers in the Shelby County Correctional Facility, known as 201 Poplar.
“Those deputies that we all watched beat this young man, this helpless young man on the ground … those deputies are still as we speak in charge of detainees at the Shelby County Jail,” Brown said.
At a news conference Friday, the family of Nichols joined Freeman’s family, together calling for justice for their loved ones. Shortly before the news conference, the families and attorneys, including noted civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, met with Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, who has recused himself from the case. The investigation is being handled by Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk.
Funk’s office released video earlier this month of Freeman being punched, kicked and pepper sprayed after running out of his cell. Eventually, officers can be seen kneeling on his upper back. An autopsy said Freeman died due to exacerbation of heart disease due to the physical altercation and being subdued by officers, classifying the death as a homicide.
“(We saw) another video of an unarmed Black man being killed by law enforcement in Shelby County, Tennessee,” Crump said. “What is going on in Memphis is what people are asking?”
Kimberly Freeman, Freeman’s mother, said she wants to know exactly which officers were involved in the altercation with her son and see them charged, as five officers have been charged in the death of Nichols.
“They have blood on their hands,” she said. “My son had a lot of dreams, a lot of admiration. He cared for people in general, and for the people to murder my son in this hellhole, we want answers.”
At one point, Nichols’ mother Rowvaughn Wells clasped hands with Freeman’s mother. The two share something in common, Wells said. Yesterday was the worst day of her life, Wells said, as she brought home her son’s ashes in an urn.
“I’m here today to give support to this lady. She also lost her son in a brutal way and she lost her only son,” Wells said. “I could just imagine what she’s going through right now…. No mother, no mother, no mother regardless of what should have to bury their child as we have.”
More mental health care needed, advocates say
Freeman’s death also shows the lack of care for people with mental illness, attorneys said.
Before his death, Freeman was naked and alone in his cell,which is how 201 Poplar handles suicide watch, said attorney Brice Timmons.
About 15-20% of those incarcerated in the jail at any given time have an identified mental health issue, Timmons said — and that only counts those who are identified.
“I don’t know what is happening in America where law enforcement feels they can treat mental health issues like criminal issues, especially if they’re marginalized people or color, especially if they’re Black men,” Crump said. “Why is law enforcement treating a man with a mental health crisis with a death sentence?”
Freeman was not watched by medical personnel and when he began behaving erratically, officers opened the door armed with pepper spray instead of calling for medical professionals, Timmons said.
Crump urged people to think of their own loved ones who have mental illness and to vote for leaders who will prioritize mental health care.
However, attorneys said they believe there is precedent for charging the officers involved with Freeman’s death, since officers nationwide have been charged in the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Tyre Nichols.
Katherine Burgess covers government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.