Eric Lurry
Eric Lurry, a 37-year-old Black man from Joliet, died in January 2020 after Joliet police took him into custody. Video obtained by WBBM-TV shows officers slapping him and pinching his nose while he was handcuffed, and another officer putting a baton in his mouth. Court documents say officers found a bag in his mouth, and he was taken to a hospital, where he died hours later. The Will County coroner's office called the death an accident caused by fatal drug levels, and the county prosecutor said no officer action caused it. His widow is suing the city and officers in federal court.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed). The Will County coroner ruled his death an accidental drug overdose, but his widow's federal lawsuit against the city and officers disputes that account, and squad car video shows officers slapping him and inserting a baton into his mouth.
Reported by: Will County coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Joliet police (court records describe the arrest and station response) (the agency that held him); his widow's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); county prosecutor; court documents (forfeiture complaint) (court); WBBM-TV (squad car video) (reporters).