Gershun Freeman
Gershun Freeman died in October 2023 while held at the Shelby County Division of Corrections in Memphis, Tennessee. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office said deputies found Gershun hanging in a cell on a Thursday afternoon and described it as an apparent suicide attempt. Gershun was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis in critical condition and died early the following Saturday. Action News 5 reported that a jailer was later convicted of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the death, and that nine jailers were initially charged. The sentencing of the convicted jailer was delayed to January 2027.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The Shelby County Sheriff's Office said deputies found Gershun Freeman hanging in a cell in an apparent suicide attempt, while state prosecutors say a jailer was convicted of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the death, and nine jailers were initially charged.
Reported by: Shelby County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held them); state prosecutors.