Jaquaree Simmons
Jaquaree Simmons, 23, died on February 17, 2021, while held at the Harris County Jail in Houston, Texas. His mother, LaRhonda Biggles, has said she wants justice for him and that he did not deserve to die. The Harris County medical examiner ruled his death a homicide from blunt force trauma to the head, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital after being found unresponsive in his cell during a winter storm. A sheriff's office internal affairs investigation found that detention officers used force against him and that required cell checks were not done, and the sheriff's office fired 11 employees and suspended six. Former detention officer Eric Morales has been charged with manslaughter, and his attorney contends that the force used was justified.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled blunt force head trauma a homicide, and the sheriff's office internal affairs investigation found detention officers used excessive force and did not do required cell checks; the family's attorney says the treatment was inhumane and unconstitutional and is seeking criminal accountability, and a former officer, Eric Morales, was charged with manslaughter, which he disputes through his attorney, who says officers used force to subdue Simmons during a disturbance.
Reported by: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (medical examiner or coroner); Harris County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Harris County District Attorney's Office (outside investigators); Houston Police Department (outside investigators); Harris County grand jury (court); family's attorney (family or their lawyers); Eric Morales's attorney Dave Batton (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family has sued over his death in the Harris County Jail, and the case remains pending with no dollar amount reported.
News reports (19)
- 11 HCSO employees out of a job, 6 suspended following inmate's death
- 11 Fired, 6 Suspended At Harris County Sheriff’s Office Following Death Of Inmate In February
- 11 Harris County Sheriff's Office employees fired after inmate's death; 6 suspended
- Harris County,Texas, sheriff fires 11 employees, suspends 6 others, after February death of a Black man in custody
- 11 Texas sheriff workers fired, 6 suspended in inmate death
- Custodial death report 21-213-CJ
- Former detention officer charged with manslaughter in death at Harris County Jail
- Former Harris County detention officer charged in inmate's jail death
- Jaquaree Simmons death: Judge sets $100,000 bond for ex-Harris County jail officer Eric Morales charged in inmate's deadly beating
- Harris County Jail deemed 'House of Death' following inmate's death
- Jaquaree Simmons death: Former Harris County jail officer Eric Morales faces manslaughter charge in inmate's deadly beating
- Jaquaree Simmons death: Ex-Harris Co. jail officer Eric Morales' mug shot released after given $100K bond for inmate's death
- FBI agrees to review two deaths at Harris County Jail as families demand federal investigation
- FBI announces investigations into deaths at Harris County Jail
- Family of Harris Co. Jail inmate files federal civil rights lawsuit
- FBI announces investigation into Harris County jail system after 32 inmates die - ABC News
- Harris Co. Jail's reported continued non-compliance comes after 4 inmates died in January alone
- The FBI is investigating deaths in the Harris County Jail
- Are deaths in the Harris County Jail isolated incidents or part of a troubling trend?