Protest outside Cobb County jail after 4 inmates died in past year
COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A protest was held outside the Cobb County jail Friday night after four inmates died in the past year. Families are upset and they are demanding more thorough investigations.
James Emory's brother, Bradley Emory, was serving time on drug charges. His family said in March, one day before he was to be released on bond, they were told he committed suicide. His family doesn't believe it.
"I need the truth out of Cobb County jail, they need to quit hiding under the veil of open investigation," said Emory.
According to the Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office, another inmate, Jessie Myles died from complications of acute cocaine intoxication. A third inmate, Reginald Wilson, died from dehydration due to bipolar disorder, other significant conditions included coronary and hypertension. This was considered a natural death.
The fourth inmate, Kevin Wingo, died this past Sunday. The medical examiner's office has yet to release his cause of death.
His family said they haven't gotten any details as to what happened.
'We still don't know what happened, so we're just waiting for something. Nobody is telling us anything," said Angela Bigby, Wingo's aunt.
The Cobb County Sheriff's Office released this statement regarding the deaths:
"The top priority for the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office is the safety and security of our staff and inmates. Incidents involving the death of persons in custody are fully investigated by both the Sheriff’s Office and the Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office."
Ranecia Sanders organized the protest outside the jail.
"We're just looking for the truth. I hope these families get to be at peace and know what happened to their family members," said Sanders.