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Mother plans to file lawsuit against Harris County Jail after he died in their custody
The mother of a man who died in Harris County Jail last March says she plans on filing a lawsuit against the jail. FOX 26's Sherman Desselle has more on the story that she's getting help from a prominent attorney.
HOUSTON - Jacilet Griffin, whose son Evan Lee died while in Harris County custody last year, has partnered with prominent trial lawyer and civil rights attorney Ben Crump to get information about Lee's death.
Crump says they will be filing a lawsuit against the jail on behalf of Lee's family and other families of inmates that have died while in Harris County custody.
EVAN GRIFFIN LEE: Houston mother fights for justice one year after son dies in Harris County jail custody
"We can do better by citizens," says Crump. "They elected you to represent all of them...protect and serve all of them. So it should not be allowed that they can violate the constitutional rights of citizens just because they've been arrested. It is unacceptable."
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Griffin was joined by Crump and his legal partners, along with State Representative Ron Reynolds at a press conference in Missouri City on Saturday. She tells FOX 26 The Texas Rangers ruled her 31-year-old son's death a homicide in December, but she is still waiting to hear the results or see the autopsy.
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Mother of son who died in Harris County jail reacts to HB 3434
A Houston mother continues to fight for justice for her son, Evan Griffin Lee, who died while in Harris County jail custody more than a year ago. She's showing up at the state capitol, as legislation advances that could change how the jail operates. FOX 26's Sherman Desselle breaks down what's included in the bill and spoke to Lee's mother.
"Harris County jail has been defined as the next funeral home to me," says Griffin. "It's unacceptable to wake up as a mother and not know what happened to your child. I've made phone calls, emails, and many requests to get this autopsy. I have not received it."
RELATED: Harris County jail: Bill to investigate facility passes, multiple deaths reported in jail
Evan Lee was one of 27 inmates who died while in custody in 2022. Six deaths have also been reported in the jail in 2023.
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Memorial held for Evan Griffin Lee, man killed in Harris County Jail custody
A Houston mother is still grieving the loss of her son who died while in Harris County Jail custody a year ago. She was joined by lawmakers from Houston and Washington who introduced legislation that could help reform the facility. FOX 26's Sherman Desselle reports on Lee's mother's fight for answers and the issues that have occurred in the past at Harris County Jail.
Robert Terry, Jr. died May 16 after his family says he requested medical assistance in the jail just a few hours before he collapsed. He was later pronounced dead in the hospital. An inmate we've spoken to over the phone, who says they were in the same pod as Terry, is asking for help from the inside - claiming inadequate medical assistance at the jail.
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State Representative Ron Reynolds, who introduced House Bill 3434, says he was disappointed as the Senate decided to not consider the legislation. The bill calls on the Commission on Jail Standards to conduct a study to evaluate the living conditions and safety of inmates in the Harris County jail.
He's hoping it will have another chance for review before the session ends on May 29.