26
The dying of Dennoriss Richardson, a 39-year-old Black man discovered hanging in an deserted home in rural Alabama, is now underneath investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
His mom, Bonita Richardson, expressed perception the native sheriff’s describing it as suicide is wrong and insists that her son was killed
Richardson’s physique was found by the Colbert County Sheriff’s Workplace almost half-hour from his residence in Sheffield, Alabama. Bonita Richardson has voiced her disbelief, claiming her son had no connection to the home the place he was discovered and didn’t go away a suicide observe.
“I might not settle for a suicide [ruling],” Bonita Richardson instructed ABC Information. “I can’t enable it [his case] to be closed till justice was discovered as a result of there was foul play someplace.”
Bonita believes the Sheffield Police Division could also be concerned as a consequence of her son’s lawsuit towards the division.
Filed in February, the lawsuit accused police of utilizing extreme pressure, together with assaulting Richardson, denying him medical therapy, and utilizing tear fuel and a stun gun whereas he was incarcerated.
The Sheffield Police Division has not responded to ABC Information’ request for remark however has disputed the allegations, submitting a movement to dismiss the case.
The Colbert County Coroner’s Workplace additionally didn’t reply to requests for Richardson’s post-mortem report or reason behind dying.
Sheriff Eric Balentine confirmed the post-mortem indicated Richardson died from hanging, ruling it a suicide. Nonetheless, Balentine expressed his need for transparency, explaining that he welcomed the FBI’s investigation to make sure the household would discover peace.
“If it had been one in every of my daughters or one in every of my nieces or any member of the family of mine, if I had any questions, no matter what color they’re, I might wish to ensure that no stone was left unturned, and that’s sort of what we’re doing right here,” Balentine instructed ABC Information.
“We wish to present transparency, to point out that we did our job to the most effective of our skill with all of our sources, however I do perceive the character and the issues of the household.”
The FBI confirmed it’s reviewing the case, stating it takes all allegations of federal regulation violations severely and can proceed investigating if proof helps any violations.
Richardson had beforehand raised issues with Sheffield Mayor Steven Stanley about being racially profiled. Stanley recalled their civil discussions, with Richardson alleging profiling throughout no less than two visits to the mayor’s workplace.
Richardson’s felony historical past included a 2006 drug conviction and several other subsequent arrests, with most prices being dropped. On the time of his dying, he was out on bond after being charged with meth trafficking
Publish Views: 18