John Neville, a 56-year-old Greensboro man, died Dec. 4, 2019, while in custody at the Forsyth County jail, after he apparently suffered a seizure after being restrained in a prone âhog-tieâ position. Five former jailers and a nurse now face criminal charges.
Those are unpleasant, even gruesome facts. But itâs necessary for those who care about public matters to be aware of them.
Thereâs more that the public should know, and the Winston-Salem Journal has joined a coalition of media outlets that sued on Monday to have that information released.
The information includes a 723-page report by the State Bureau of Investigation, an internal investigation by the Forsyth County Sheriffâs Office, officersâ statements, investigative notes, jail medical records, Nevilleâs medical reports and video of the incident that led to Nevilleâs death. The contents are being held by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is likely on Thursday to pick a different company to manage health care at the county jail, more than a year after the death of John Neville brought medical treatment at the jail into sharp focus here.
And commissioners are also likely to spend extra money providing expanded mental health services at the jail, in response to concerns expressed by many, including Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, that mental health treatment is something many people need who end up in jail.
Wellpath, the current provider, was among six companies that submitted proposals to the county for the new contract, which will take effect on Sept. 1.
Demonstrators in downtown Winston-Salem call for end to state-sanctioned violence against Black people journalnow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from journalnow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Critics of police spending protested in front of the Winston-Salem City Hall during Monday s online meeting of the city council, and said during the public comment period that they plan to keep pressing the council to redirect police spending.
Some 15 to 20 people, according to an organizer, appeared in front of City Hall with a big Hate Out of Winston banner and signs supporting increased spending for mental health and city programs that tackle the problems of young people and ex-offenders.
Because of coronavirus restrictions, protesters who wanted to talk to the council during the council s public comment period had to do so by telephone.