Insets, from left: Joseph Evans and Liletzy Valdez-Carbajal (Blount County Jail). Background: The Blount County Detention Center in Oneonta, Ala. (Google Maps).
Two former Alabama jail guards are facing murder and assault charges after prosecutors accused them of using a Taser on an inmate who was unable to stand or walk during a serious diabetic medical emergency.
Joseph Evans, 26, and Liletzy Valdez-Carbajal, 19, were indicted in connection with the death of 23-year-old Arthur P. Morse at the Blount County Detention Center in Oneonta.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a press release that Morse was taken to a hospital following a “medical event” at the jail, located about 35 miles northeast of Birmingham. He died at the hospital on Feb. 6.
State investigators later turned over their findings to the Blount County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors then presented the case to a grand jury, resulting in indictments against Evans and Valdez-Carbajal.
Probable cause documents obtained by local ABC affiliate WBMA allege that the two guards repeatedly “dry stunned” Morse with a Taser while he was incapacitated from diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition that occurs when the body does not have enough insulin. A dry stun involves pressing a Taser directly against a person’s body and activating it.
Authorities say Morse could not stand or walk without assistance when the incident occurred. Prosecutors allege the guards’ use of the Taser contributed to his death.
The sheriff’s office said Evans and Valdez-Carbajal are no longer employed at the jail.
“When the incident leading to their arrest occurred we immediately notified the ALEA Investigation Division and turned the matter over to them for investigation,” Sgt. Jason Paul of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office told local Fox affiliate WBRC. “Today, we were notified of indictments and assisted ALEA in making the arrests on those indictments.”
They were arrested Monday.
Morse was serving a 15-day jail sentence after he violated probation stemming from a 2025 conviction for driving under the influence.
The suspects remained in jail as of early Tuesday afternoon. Their next court dates were not immediately listed.
