A 41-year-old Black man, John Scott Jr., died Tuesday, one week after being hospitalized following an arrest where Alabama police officers shocked him with a Taser and punched him. The incident has reignited anger and frustration in Decatur, Alabama, a city already divided over the recent police shooting of another Black man.
Scott was arrested on April 15 after his mother called police due to concerns about her son’s mental health. She feared he was experiencing a crisis after reportedly stopping his medication. Scott’s arrest, initially stemming from a failure to appear in court for a speeding ticket in 2021, quickly escalated into a violent confrontation with law enforcement officers.
The Arrest and Alleged Use of Force
According to body camera footage released by the Decatur Police Department, Scott was initially encouraged to go to the hospital with emergency medical responders after officers arrived at his mother’s house. However, Scott refused, and when officers attempted to arrest him, tensions rose. In the video, Scott is seen standing confused and sweating profusely outside the ambulance, where he repeatedly shakes the officers’ hands and even tries to joke with them.
Despite being non-combative at first, Scott’s refusal to enter the ambulance led officers to escalate the situation. The video shows Scott panicking as he tries to resist, and at this point, several officers began using force. Scott was punched multiple times and shocked with a Taser after he fell to the ground and continued to resist arrest. During the altercation, Scott can be heard screaming “I’m sorry,” repeatedly stating that he couldn’t breathe as one officer reportedly knelt on his back.
Once Scott was placed in the back of a police car, he attempted to spit at officers, after which a hood was placed over his head. According to police reports, Scott began to show signs of medical distress about an hour after being taken to the county jail. He was transported to the hospital, where he remained for a week before his death on April 22.
Police and Medical Response: Questions and Concerns
The police department initially attributed Scott’s hospitalization to a condition called “excited delirium,” a controversial and widely debunked diagnosis that has been linked to deaths in police custody. However, many experts, including those from the American Medical Association, have criticized “excited delirium” as an unscientific term often used to justify deaths resulting from police use of force.
The circumstances surrounding Scott’s death, combined with his history of mental health struggles, raise significant questions about how law enforcement handled the situation. Advocates are calling for a thorough and independent investigation into the actions of the police officers involved.
The Growing Tensions in Decatur
The death of Scott follows another high-profile incident in Decatur, where former police officer Mac Marquette is on trial for the 2023 fatal shooting of Steve Perkins, a Black man. The city has been deeply divided since Perkins’ death, with hundreds of protestors rallying in support of both Perkins and Marquette.
Rodney Gordon, president of the local NAACP chapter, voiced concern about the ongoing pattern of police violence in the city, stating, “Here we go again. We stated that this was going to happen again, based on what happened when Steve Perkins died. They shifted the police chief, but they got the same players still playing the game. How can you not change the officers and expect different results?”
Interim Police Chief Nadis Carlisle has called for both state and federal investigations into the incident, and has urged the public to be patient as the investigation continues.
Possible Wrongful Death Lawsuit
As the investigation into Scott’s death unfolds, questions remain about whether his family has grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. The alleged use of excessive force, particularly the Taser shock and physical restraint, may have contributed to his medical distress and subsequent death. Scott’s family could have grounds for a wrongful death suit, given the circumstances of the arrest and the failure to provide adequate medical care after his hospitalization.
At Police Brutality Center, we specialize in helping families seek justice for victims of police brutality and wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been affected by the excessive use of force or mistreatment by law enforcement, we can help. Our experienced legal team is dedicated to fighting for justice, ensuring accountability, and securing compensation for those who have suffered from police misconduct.
How We Can Can Support You
If you or someone you know has been impacted by police violence or wrongful death, Police Brutality Center is here to support you. We have extensive experience handling cases of police brutality and excessive force ending in wrongful death, and we are committed to helping you seek justice and compensation. Contact us today for a confidential consultation to discuss your options and get the support you need.
