FBI Investigating Hanging Of Black Man Whose Family Sued Alabama Police For Brutality

The FBI is now investigating the death of a Black man who died by hanging after the man’s family sued the Alabama police for brutality.

“This is a family issue, community issue for Colbert County, State of Alabama, and the United States of America,” said Roderick Van Daniel, an attorney for the family, as reported by AL.com. “I am grateful to know that a federal investigation will be done. We all are seeking the truth, understanding, and justice.”

Dennoriss Richardson’s body was still hanging by a rope at an abandoned house in Colbert County, Alabama when it was found in early October. He was 39.

“Someone hung on the porch should not be seen as an everyday occurrence,” Van Daniel said. “I believe in the principles of this country and the words within the Constitution. We cannot allow injustice to overtake the normalcy that we have all strived so hard for to make this country the leader of this world for Democracy.”

Richardson filed a lawsuit this year against Sheffield, Alabama, police, accusing multiple officers of assaulting him during his five-day detainment in the Sheffield City Jail.

However, Richardson faced arrest again on a drug charge. According to his widow, Leigh Ann, he was told that the charge would be dropped if he dropped the lawsuit but that Richardson refused to do so.

Colbert County ruled his death a suicide due to depression. However, Richardson’s wife and mother denied the claims. They believe he would not have left his five children behind.

“We submitted a request in writing to the FBI asking them to come in and review the case, just to be transparent and to be sure we didn’t miss anything,” Colbert County Sheriff Eric Balentine said. “They responded back a couple days later, and they are going to be reviewing the case.”

Van Daniel reaffirmed the family’s intentions to continue the lawsuit. As for the FBI, it declined to confirm or deny if it is investigating the case on its own.

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