Death at Bibb County Jail has been ruled a homicide. GBI will investigate, officials say
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has stepped in to investigate a man’s death in custody at the Bibb County Jail, officials confirmed Friday.
A medical examiner from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation ruled Stephen Fossett’s death at the Bibb County Jail a homicide, according to Fossett’s family, and GBI is inquiring further. Fossett was incarcerated at the jail and was tased by a Bibb County correctional officer before he died, according to lawyers for the family and information from county officials.
Deputies also put their body weight on Fossett, who had been booked on a criminal trespassing charge, according to Mawuli Davis, one of the attorneys representing Fossett’s family. In August, they called on the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office to be more transparent about the incident, saying they hadn’t received crucial evidence about the case.
District Attorney Anita R. Howard and Sheriff David Davis asked GBI to investigate the cause of death further, said Nelly Miles, director of the office of Public and Governmental Affairs for GBI. Its agents will conduct a review. The agency said it wouldn’t comment further.
Fossett’s mother, Paula Platt, previously said he suffered from chronic schizophrenia. She said jail staff should have been familiar with his situation, considering he had participated in mental health programs through the county.
His family said he’s remembered as “a kind-hearted individual who struggled with mental health issues but remained resilient in the face of adversity.”
Fossett’s family and attorneys will host a candlelight prayer vigil and rally on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. in front of the Bibb County Jail. The event is meant to offer “support to the Fossett family and demand justice for Stephen’s tragic death while in custody,” according to the Davis Bozeman Johnson law firm. The firm and family are inviting the community to attend the vigil.
“We need the Macon community to join us in remembering his life,” said Platt. “We want this exposed so no other family has to endure this pain.”
Records detail Fossett’s last moments
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office on Friday provided an incident report written after Fossett’s death that details the situation. The report says a deputy was calling for medical assistance around 1:25 p.m. because Fossett was “spazzing out.”
About four deputies took Fossett to their medical unit, where he appeared to be responsive and calm “but under the influence of something,” the incident report says.
A nurse was prepared to administer Narcan, used to reverse opioid overdoses, but another nurse and a deputy objected, according to the report. One nurse said that, if administered, Fossett would need to be taken to the hospital. The deputy instructed the nurse not to administer it. Despite the objections, the nurse’s hand with the Narcan got closer when he pushed her hand away.
She tried a second time and Fossett forcefully swung his hands to stop her, according to the incident report.
Fossett began to “swing and snatch away,” which kept the nurses from being able to restrain him, the incident report says. Deputies intervened too, but because Fossett kept resisting.
One of the deputies attempted to restrain him by his jumpsuit, but due to his snatching and kicking, the deputy lost his grip. As he was heading toward an exit, two deputies tased him, the taser had no effect on Fossett, according to the incident report.
They tried to slow Fossett down by blocking his path with a wheelchair and a regular chair, but he dodged the chairs. Deputies later located Fossett in a locker area. He still wouldn’t comply and he began kicking again, according to the incident report.
A deputy tased Fossett, which slowed him down and prompted the deputies to apply their body weight on his ankles to gain control, the incident report said. A deputy attempted to put handcuffs on him, but they couldn’t put the second cuff on. Six other deputies assisted in successfully putting handcuffs on him.
One of the nurses stated they were going to give Fossett Narcan to calm him down, but he vomited, according to the incident report.
Deputies placed him on a stretcher and returned him to the medical area so nurses could call an ambulance. At that point, a deputy “noticed Fossett’s eyes rolled up and his breathing stop,” the incident report says.
A deputy performed a sternum rub on his chest, but he did not respond. Another deputy began to do CPR until an ambulance came. After Fossett was transported to Atrium Health, he was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
Sheriff David Davis responds
Davis says the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office internal affairs and criminal investigation unit are still investigating Fossett’s death. They have recently received all of the toxicology and autopsy reports, Davis said.
He also confirmed that he asked the GBI to investigate the situation. Once all of the investigations are completed, Howard would determine if criminal charges need to be filed based on their findings, according to Davis.
“Our sympathies are with Stephen Fossett’s family,” Davis said. “And we hope that soon we can be able to give them clearer insight as to what happened.”
When asked if those involved in the incident had faced discipline over the matter, the sheriff’s office reiterated that investigation findings would be turned over to the district attorney
This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 2:20 PM.
