The family of an Arizona man who died in a Maricopa County jail filed a federal lawsuit alleging law enforcement officers used excessive force, leading to the death of Akeem Terrell, 31.
“Two years ago, my brother was killed by the hands of the Phoenix Police Department. We have now confirmed video footage of the incident,” Jaquitta Terrell, Akeem’s sister, said in a Facebook post.
The incident happened on January 1, 2021, as Terrell was bringing in the new year. Terrell had a history of mental illness, according to the lawsuit, and that night he began “behaving bizarrely” at a party at an apartment in Phoenix.
Jesse Showalter, an attorney representing the family, said a partygoer called the police because of Terrell’s behavior. Witnesses claimed he “expressed paranoid thoughts and made statements that didn’t make sense.”
The lawsuit claims Phoenix police “recognized he was mentally ill or mentally disturbed.” Terrell suffered from schizophrenic disorder, which occurs when people interpret reality abnormally, according to Mayo Clinic.
The officers then asked Terrell to leave the party, and after he refused, they arrested him.
Terrell, described as 6 feet 2 and 433 pounds, was uncooperative during the arrest but officers got him into an SUV and took him to the Maricopa County Jail.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the family. He suggested law enforcement officers acted with indifference towards Terrell.
“Akeem Terrell had a history of mental illness, and instead of compassion and treatment, officers showed him indifference and negligence,” Crump said in a statement.
Surveillance and body camera video released by Maricopa County in December shows Terrell’s final moments.
Upon arrival at the jail, Terrell asks officers, “Am I going to the mental hospital?” An officer replied, “Maybe.” Terrell then repeats, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Four Phoenix police officers each held one of Terrell’s limbs to carry him into the jail for booking and processing. Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies greeted them as Terrell continued to yell and make incoherent comments regarding his whereabouts.
