AZ man dies in jail after 7 police officers pin him down, family files lawsuit

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for January 5

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

The family of Phoenix man who died in a Maricopa County jail two years ago has filed a lawsuit, alleging police officers used unreasonable force during his arrest.

The suit filed last Friday in federal court seeks unspecified general and punitive damages.

The Arizona Republic reports 31-year-old Akeem Terrell was taken into custody after he refused to leave a New Year’s Day party in 2021.

MISSOURI WOMAN IN DOG COLLAR ESCAPES CAPTIVITY, HAD BEEN REPEATEDLY RAPED BY KIDNAPPER

According to the lawsuit, up to seven Phoenix police officers were on top of Terrell in a jail isolation cell and holding him down as they changed his handcuffs.

Terrell’s family contends newly released body camera footage shows officers filing out of the cell, leaving him motionless and face down on the floor.

Akeem Terrell, 31, was left motionless two years ago after seven officials held him down on the floor to change his handcuffs.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The suit alleges police delayed summoning medical care for the 6-foot-2 Terrell, who reportedly weighed more than 400 pounds.

The city of Phoenix declined to comment on the lawsuit. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office didn’t immediately return an email Wednesday from the Associated Press seeking comment on the lawsuit.