Sgt. James Brown was an active-duty soldier who had served two tours of duty in Iraq.
But he didn’t survive a two-day DWI sentence in 2012.
New graphic video from El Paso County Jail in Texas shows the confusing and terrifying last minutes of Brown’s life, KFOX reports. Brown, who reportedly suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, can be seen thrashing in his cell as officers in riot gear subdue him. About 35 minutes later, he repeatedly tells officers he can’t breathe and loses consciousness.
According to KFOX14, at some point during his incarceration, Brown had an “episode in his cell that caused him to bleed.” The footage does not show how Brown began bleeding or how the blood got onto the walls of his one-person cell, but officers can be seen asking Brown questions. Brown refuses to answer, and guards in riot gear enter the cell and force Brown to the ground. As many as five guards can be seen on top of Brown, who appears to be flat on the ground. At no point during the footage does Brown appear to be resisting the officers, but he can be heard yelling, “I can’t breathe.”
Throughout the recording, Brown appears to be losing consciousness. At one point, he begs guards to remove the spit guard they have placed over his mouth. At another point, he begs officers for water. He is given half a Dixie cup.
KFOX14 notes that, “By the end of the clip, Brown’s physical condition appears to deteriorate, showing shallow breathing and no longer blinking or being responsive. Brown appears to no longer be capable of pleading for anything. Attorneys say at no time was an ambulance or 911 called for help.” (Editor’s note: The following video contains content that is graphic and disturbing.)
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
