John Scott Jr.
John Scott Jr., 39, died on April 22, 2025, about a week after he was arrested by Decatur police on April 15 and taken to the Morgan County Jail, where he was held before trial. His mother, Paulette Tennison, called police that day because she was worried about his behavior, and the family has described him as a loving son, father, cousin and uncle. Family members said he was held in a cell with signs of medical distress for more than an hour, and his lawsuit alleges officers used stun devices and dragged him through the jail, which the defendants deny. The death certificate lists the manner of death as homicide, citing cardiac arrest and kidney failure after use of an electro-muscular disruption device, while the sheriff's office and the city have not agreed with the lawsuit's account and autopsy results were still pending in the reports reviewed.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The death certificate lists cardiac arrest, kidney failure and muscle breakdown after electro-muscular disruption device use with manner homicide, while his family's lawsuit says officers used excessive force, he was in mental health crisis, and he was denied medical care; the defendants deny the allegations.
Reported by: death certificate; his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His mother, Paulette Tennison-Sanders, filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Decatur, several officers and others over his death, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.
News reports (9)
- Alabama man dies days after he was Tasered during arrest
- Black man in Alabama dies 1 week after being shocked with stun gun during arrest - ABC News
- Mother of Decatur man who died in custody files lawsuit
- City of Priceville, officer dropped from John Scott Jr. wrongful death lawsuit
- Former Morgan Co. jailer faces felony charges over honey buns, claims retaliation
- Family holds vigil for man who died after Decatur police arrest
- Amended lawsuit for in-custody death names Morgan County sheriff, commission
- City of Decatur, officers ask judge to dismiss lawsuit in John Scott Jr.’s death
- City of Decatur, officers ask to dismiss lawsuit filed over man’s death 1 week after violent arrest