United States District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon has dismissed several claims in a federal lawsuit against the Pickens County Sheriff and others.
Three years after former New Orleans Saints player Glenn Foster, Jr. died while in custody, Axon ruled one deputy listed in the lawsuit is dismissed from the case. Sheriff Todd Hall is still named.
Although Foster’s death was determined to be by natural causes — hypertensive cardiovascular disease — the family of Foster hired high-profile civil rights attorneys to sue. Attorney Ben Crump claims an independent autopsy showed a more ominous cause of death.
SEE RELATED: Autopsy shows former Saints player Glenn Foster, Jr. who died in Alabama police custody died of natural causes
Parties agree that Foster was arrested in Reform for reckless endangerment and resisting arrest. While in custody, he got into a fight with another inmate over socks. A judge ordered a mental evaluation.
At some point, Foster was restrained in a chair and hit with a stun gun, causing him to vomit and lose consciousness. He was taken to the hospital where he later died.
The family claimed nine counts, including wrongful death, excessive force, failure to intervene, denial of medical care and others. Axon dismissed the wrongful death claim and four other counts. Excessive force, failure to intervene and two counts of supervisory liability remain.
Sheriff Hall, former Pickens County Jail Administrator Justin White, three deputies and three corrections officers are still named in the civil suit.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
