Brittany Anderson dies in Galveston County Jail, her family is calling it murder
HOUSTON - The death of a woman being held in the Galveston County jail has prompted demands of transparency in the investigation of what happened.
Brittany Anderson, 32, was in custody for a probation violation. On Wednesday, there was some type of altercation with guards, and on Thursday morning, she was dead. The woman's family says she was murdered.
Community activist Quanell X led a protest of dozens outside the jail, decrying Anderson's death, "What kind of man does it take to beat the hell of a woman and kill a female inmate?"
The sheriff's office says after Anderson got aggressive with a detention officer, she was put in a solitary cell and found unresponsive the next morning. She was pronounced dead at a Galveston hospital.
Family and friends say they were shocked by the news. Anderson's mother complains the sheriff's office has told her nothing, and that she was notified by the hospital. "When I got the call, I dropped the phone, because I couldn't believe it," says Amanda Anderson, "They didn't even have the audacity to tell me what happened to my baby."
Protestors believe the truth lies in security video, from inside the jail, that shows what happened. "We say to the sheriff: If you have nothing to hide, produce the video; If your deputy was in the right, produce the video, and we'll all go home," says Quanell X, "Let us see the truth."
Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset would not answer questions on camera but says he's seen the jail-house video. While no one has been reprimanded for the altercation, he insists there will be punishment if an investigation finds wrong-doing.
The Texas Rangers and Galveston County district attorney are conducting that investigation.
Both offices confirm their participation but have offered no details.
Protestors, though, are impatient and passionate about honoring Brittany Anderson's death. "It shows that she's loved," says sister Robin Dennis, "She's a good person and I really appreciate everybody that came out."
There is no timeline for the investigation to be complete, and no response to releasing video or autopsy information. Protestors promise to make themselves heard until they get they get answers to their questions.
She was arrested on Wednesday, January 31 for Assault of a Public Servant and was found dead in her cell on Thursday, February 1.