Lashawn Thompson’s death last year made national headlines after his family released photos of his body in a bedbug-infested cell in the psychiatric wing of the Fulton County Jail. The family’s attorney, Ben Crump, later said a private autopsy confirmed Thompson died from pure neglect.
“This is one of the most deplorable in-custody deaths in the history of America,” Crump said.
Since then, Fulton County’s jail has stayed in the spotlight with the booking of former president Donald Trump in August and the U.S. Department of Justice recently launching an investigation into poor and dangerous conditions. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat has said he welcomes the investigation, citing the need for a new jail that could cost $1.6 billion or more.
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