Ezumer "Shorty" Palmer
Ezumer "Shorty" Palmer, 54, was a racecar owner from Keysville, Georgia, and was known to people there by his nickname. He died on February 5, 2007, in his cell at the Burke County Jail, where staff reported he had apparently hanged himself. The county coroner said she found no evidence of foul play, and a coroner's inquest jury ruled the death a suicide. His family, including Johnnie Mae Terrell, who lived with him for 20 years, and his sister, Christine Evans, testified at the inquest and remain unsatisfied, particularly about a missing part of the torn bed sheet. They said he had a bond hearing scheduled the day he was found, which the district attorney said could not be verified.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Jail staff reported he apparently hanged himself and the coroner's inquest jury ruled it a suicide, but his family remains unsatisfied, particularly about the missing part of the torn bed sheet, and says he had a bond hearing scheduled the day he was found.
Reported by: Burke County Jail (the agency that held him); Burke County coroner (medical examiner or coroner); coroner's inquest jury (court); his family.