Corey Merchant
Corey Merchant, whose sisters Krysti and Tommie survive him, died on Nov. 13, 2021, after a fight at the Marion County Jail in Ocala, Florida, where he was held pretrial. His attorney described him as someone who attended Bible study and was often harassed and attacked by others held there. The Marion County Sheriff's Office says another person held in the jail is responsible and that staff could not have stopped a fight that lasted only seconds. His sister's lawsuit alleges that jail staff knew the other person posed a danger, that crowded dormitory conditions and weak supervision made violence likely, and that guards failed to intervene; a federal judge ruled for the sheriff and deputies on certain damages in December 2025, and the family has appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). Deputies say another person held at the jail struck Merchant and he fell and hit his head; his family's lawsuit says jail staff knew the other inmate was violent, supervision was inadequate, and guards failed to intervene.
Reported by: Marion County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Sheriff's office general counsel Timothy McCourt (the agency that held him); his family's lawsuit, filed by sister Krysti Merchant (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His sister Krysti Merchant sued the Marion County Sheriff's Office and several deputies over his death, and a federal judge granted judgment to the sheriff and deputies in December 2025, with the family appealing to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
News reports (5)
- Marion County inmate accused of manslaughter after fight leads to other inmate’s death
- Romanucci & Blandin files civil lawsuit on behalf of Cory Merchant who died after a beating by inmate in Marion County, Florida jail
- Family of deceased inmate files wrongful death lawsuit against sheriff
- Court rules against estate of deceased inmate; family seeks appeal
- Marion County’s jail remains one of the deadliest in Florida