Jerome Stevenson
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump was in Avoyelles Parish on Monday as he’s representing Jerome Stevenson. He died while in custody at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s jail in Marksville last November. An inmate and two correction officers have been charged in his murder. Crump says he will fight for justice for the Stevenson family.
“Jerome Stevenson’s life matter, Black Lives Matters, our children’s life matter and that’s why we are fighting,” said Crump.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office has not released many details about Stevenson’s in custody death. Crump says an autopsy report shows the 26-year-old died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and stomach.
“This goes beyond excessive force, this goes beyond police brutality, they literally beat this young man to death,” said Crump.
37-year-old John Williams of Mansura has been charged with second degree murder. He was an inmate at the jail. Corrections deputies, 60-year-old Byron White and 61-year-old Frank Overbey also face charges. White has been charged with malfeasance in office and Overbey principal to second degree murder.
Crump says the family deserves answers to what happened with Stevenson.
“Was this people acting on orders, was this somebody just a rogue law enforcement officer, we don’t know the answer to do that yet,” said Crump.
John Williams, Frank Overbey and Byron White.
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