Lawyers for the family of a Savannah man who took his own life while in police custody is demanding $12 million from the city of Savannah. They want an answer by Feb. 25 or threatened to hold a news conference to announce their intention to file a federal lawsuit. According to a letter filed by the Francys Johnson of the Davis Bozeman Johnson Law Firm and addressed to Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, William Zackary Harvey was suffering from mental illness. The lawyers claim Harvey was threatened to take his own life when left alone in the police interview room. At the time of his arrest, police said Harvey had been drinking and tested positive for cocaine. In an internal affairs investigation into Harvey’s death, two officers who interacted with Harvey were fired and another was suspended. Savannah police also fired three officers who sent a GIF or meme about Harvey’s death. The case is still under investigation by the Chatham County district attorney. A director for the city’s office of public information said the city did not comment on pending litigation.
Lawyers for the family of a Savannah man who took his own life while in police custody is demanding $12 million from the city of Savannah. They want an answer by Feb. 25 or threatened to hold a news conference to announce their intention to file a federal lawsuit.
According to a letter filed by the Francys Johnson of the Davis Bozeman Johnson Law Firm and addressed to Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, William Zackary Harvey was suffering from mental illness. The lawyers claim Harvey was threatened to take his own life when left alone in the police interview room. At the time of his arrest, police said Harvey had been drinking and tested positive for cocaine.
In an internal affairs investigation into Harvey’s death, two officers who interacted with Harvey were fired and another was suspended. Savannah police also fired three officers who sent a GIF or meme about Harvey’s death.
The case is still under investigation by the Chatham County district attorney.
A director for the city’s office of public information said the city did not comment on pending litigation.
