Cody Jack Franklin
Cody Franklin was 20 years old. He died at a hospital on May 10, 2016, a few hours after he was taken into custody overnight, when jailers at the Franklin County Detention Center found him unresponsive. Friends and family, who wanted to know what happened, protested outside the jail on what would have been his birthday, carrying signs reading "Justice For Cody," and held a benefit to help with funeral and legal costs. People close to him said they had heard officers had tased him, a claim that has not been confirmed. The Arkansas State Police are investigating, and the medical examiner's final report is still pending.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed). The Franklin County sheriff said the cause is pending the medical examiner's report, while a rumor among those close to him says officers tased him and the Arkansas State Police are investigating.
Reported by: Sheriff Anthony Boen (the agency that held him); Arkansas State Police (outside investigators); friends and family; the medical examiner.
Lawsuit: A man filed a civil lawsuit arguing that law enforcement officers caused the death of Cody Jack Franklin at the Franklin County jail.