Mother sues police, paramedics for fatal seizure treatment of son in Tennessee apartment

The family of a young man who died after a seizure is suing the police and paramedics for their handling of the situation. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that the 23-year-old was subjected to inhumane violence and that the use of deadly force was covered up. The family's doubt about the official conclusion that the man died of a drug overdose was fueled by police body-camera footage uncovered by The Associated Press. 

Allegations of mistreatment

The lawsuit claims that the man, Austin Hunter Turner, was not treated appropriately during the medical emergency and that he was not given the necessary care by the first responders. 

The family's doubt about the reported events is based on the disparities between the police's account and the video evidence from the body cameras. They argue that Turner was not resisting arrest or being combative, but was in fact experiencing a seizure, which the responders failed to recognize. 

Seeking justice

Karen Goodwin, Turner's mother, expressed her belief that the lawsuit is their last opportunity to seek justice for her son, who was known to his loved ones as Hunter. The family wants those involved to be held accountable 

The case has brought to light the lack of accountability in the justice system following fatal police encounters that do not involve shootings. The family's struggle to find legal representation and the complexities of filing a lawsuit in such cases further emphasize the challenges in holding officials accountable for their actions. 

Misrepresentation of cause of death

Despite the initial reports citing drug overdose as the cause of death, independent experts who reviewed the case have disputed this claim. They argue that the errors made by the police and first responders may have contributed to Turner's death, and that the official reports did not accurately represent the events that transpired that night.