Black Man Beaten Beyond Recognition: Skull Crushed, Killed by Harrison County Officers - Jailer Resigns

Federal Officials are holding Videotape of the Beating

The attorney for a former jailer accused in the wrongful death of an inmate won't say why the jailer resigned. Ryan Teel, 29, is among five jailers identified in a civil lawsuit as participating in or failing to stop the alleged beating and torture of Jessie Lee Williams Jr. at the Harrison County jail booking room. No charges have been filed, but Teel is accused of delivering the majority of the blows Feb. 4 that left Williams beaten beyond recognition, his skull crushed, and injuries inflicted on even the most private areas of his body, according to medical records and the civil lawsuit. Teel's attorney maintains he is innocent. The attorney for Williams' estate claims the death, ruled a homicide, is the result of "malicious and sadistic acts" performed by officers sworn to protect those awaiting their day in court. Teel is the only jailer placed on leave after Williams' beating. U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton this week confirmed he has advised Sheriff George H. Payne Jr. to remain silent while he cooperates with the multi-agency investigation. The original videotapes are in federal possession, an issue of concern to attorneys for Williams' estate. They haven't been able to get copies, either. "This is not going to stop the civil lawsuit," said attorney Michael W. Crosby, "If we can't get copies, we'll try this case the old-fashioned way, with eyewitness testimony, the way cases have been won for over 200 years, before videotapes were available." Crosby said, however, he is not giving up on gaining access to the tapes. [more] and [more]