Cops seen 'laughing and joking' at military veteran: Lawsuit
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An image of bodycam footage included in the lawsuit filed on behalf of Glenn Smallwood Jr.’s family (Lawsuit).

The family of a Texas military veteran who died after being restrained by jail guards while experiencing a mental health crisis is filing a lawsuit for wrongful death.

As per the federal lawsuit submitted on Tuesday, 33-year-old Glenn Smallwood Jr. was detained in June 2023 for a misdemeanor public intoxication charge. However, in the lawsuit, his family asserts that he was experiencing a “medical and mental health crisis” during the arrest and required medical treatment. The lawsuit accuses several parties, including Angelina County, a nurse, and a sheriff’s lieutenant, of failing to secure necessary help for Smallwood, allegedly resulting in his death.

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Civil rights attorney Erik Heipt, representing Glenn Smallwood’s estate, filed the lawsuit detailing the alleged events following the U.S. Army veteran’s arrival at the Angelina County Jail in Lufkin, Texas. The lawsuit claims that Smallwood’s mental health condition was “readily apparent” once he arrived, describing him as “paranoid, confused, sweating, shaking, unsteady, and bleeding from his mouth.”

It was the facility’s policy to restrain intoxicated detainees in a chair while they sobered up, which was what the guards at the county jail did to Smallwood. But his condition soon reportedly deteriorated and he became “listless” and started vomiting. The lawsuit stated that the position in which Smallwood was strapped made it harder for him to breathe.

The lawsuit — which included images taken from an officer’s body worn camera — says that while Smallwood was strapped to the chair and vomiting, the guards were “smiling, laughing, and joking in reaction to Mr. Smallwood’s sickness.” The lawsuit quoted one officer as saying “in jest” that “I might throw up if I see that again, man, I can’t.”

In response, the lawsuit said that the guards “fastened and tightened” the straps restraining Smallwood. He was then wheeled into a “detox” holding cell. The suit said, “Before shutting the door, guards heard him retching and moaning and saw him lose consciousness.”

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