Tarrant County leaders express ‘strong emotions’ following release of jail video
Read the latest in our coverage of the death of Anthony Johnson Jr. and other issues in Tarrant County jail.
Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare said the conduct of jail personnel involved in the death of an inmate “invokes strong emotions.” But his colleague Alisa Simmons accused the Sheriff’s Office of a cover-up and said leaders need to “stop protecting political friends.”
O’Hare issued a statement within an hour of the Sheriff’s Office releasing a video Thursday that showed the moments before the death of Anthony Johnson Jr. on April 21. After an altercation with guards, Johnson is handcuffed before a guard kneels on his back for a minute and a half. Seven seconds after the guard knelt on him, Johnson says he can’t breathe. He can be heard gasping.
“Whenever an inmate dies in custody, it highlights the enormous responsibility of detention personnel to safeguard the well-being and security of every individual under their care,” O’Hare said. “The conduct of jail personnel with respect to the death of Mr. Johnson invokes strong emotions.”
O’Hare said he would not make make any more comments because of the possibility that charges might be filed.
“The public, and especially members of the media, should allow the justice system to work, and not attempt to influence the jury pool or shape public opinion before all facts of the case are known and have been weighed by a jury,” he said. “Tarrant County residents can trust that the legal process will be carried out in a fair manner. Law and order will be maintained. I pray for the comfort of those who are grieving, peace in our community, and a just outcome.”
Simmons, however, said she’ll keep speaking out about the issue. She said she was aghast and that the video gave her chills.
“I will keep commenting on this until justice is served. Until the culture of the Sheriff’s Office and the culture of this county change,” Simmons told the Star-Telegram in an interview Thursday evening. “This is George Floyd 2.0.”
Simmons said county leaders need to “stop protecting political friends” and said she is concerned that the footage shown Thursday cuts off when the officer stands up and Johnson seen lying still on the floor. Sheriff Bill Waybourn said during the press conference the office does not share video of “non-responsive” people.
“Show us the video, all of the footage from every angle not cutting it off, from beginning to end,” Simmons said. “There is deflection, there is stonewalling, but what I don’t know is why.”
Simmons said she asked to see the footage again and on Wednesday received a lengthy email of “word soup” from the Tarrant District Attorney’s Office on why she couldn’t view it.
The District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to an after-hours request for comment on the email.
Both the district attorney and the Texas Department of Public Safety — who oversees the Texas Rangers — have sent the Star-Telegram’s request for all video footage to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
Simmons added that her “heart goes out to the family.”
Rafael Moreno, the corrections officer who knelt on Johnson’s back, has been fired along with Lt. Joel Garcia, a supervisor with 24 years with the department. Moreno had nine years’ experience with the department.
“I wonder about the psychology of someone in a position of authority delighting in horrifically abusive treatment of someone they have power and authority over,” Simmons said.
Simmons said it hurt to see a uniform with the county she represents associated with the death.
A cause of death has not yet been determined by the medical examiner’s office.
Last week Republican Commissioner Manny Ramirez, a former Fort Worth police officer, called for increased transparency from the Sheriff’s Office.
Waybourn said Johnson’s family viewed the video at the District Attorney’s Office before it was shown to the press.
