Robert Stephen
Robert Stephen, 33, died while in police custody in Houston, Texas.
According to police Stephen was arrested near a store in December 2015. He was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest. Police said medical staff cleared Stephen before he was put in a jail cell. Officers said they checked on him every 15 minutes until he was found unresponsive.
Stephen’s family filed a lawsuit against the city and the police department, accusing them of negligence and use of excessive force. Steven’s relatives say the jail staff lied about checking on him every 15 minutes.
The family also said that the jailers used excessive force against Stephen and failed to respond quickly when he needed medical aid. In June 2021, Houston federal judge dismissed the lawsuit.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“I just want justice for Bobby. He’s the love of my life and I’ll never be the same without him,” Crystal Johnson, Stephen’s wife, said.
Click 2 Houston
“The police and the doctor’s disregarded Mr. Stephen’s life and he could have survived if they had at least one ounce of compassion. He was clearly unable to protect himself from imminent death because he could not appreciate his own level of intoxication,” Troy J. Pradia, the family’s lawyer, said.
Houston Chronicle
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Biden
Letter to Garland
