Family, NAACP call for transparency following Stephen Fossett’s death
Initially, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said Fossett’s death was the result of a medical emergency, but a recent GBI investigation ruled the death a homicide.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon Bibb NAACP, alongside the Fossett family, gathered outside the Bibb County Jail Thursday morning to call for transparency and justice following the death of Stephen Fossett.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the 42-year-old was killed in May while in the Bibb County Jail after being tased by jail deputies.
Initially, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said Fossett’s death was the result of a medical emergency, but a recent GBI investigation ruled the death a homicide.
The president of the Macon Bibb NAACP, Gwenette Westbrooks, says individuals with mental health issues who are charged with non-violent crimes should not be incarcerated but should receive proper medical attention.
Fossett’s family did not speak during the press conference Thursday, but they were visibly saddened by the death of their son and sibling. They, along with Westbrooks, are pushing for the release of the video of the tasing, saying it will provide transparency and speed up the investigation.
“How many times he was tased you know, why was he tased, was it necessary for him to be tased,” Westbrooks said.
She asked the community for support for the Fossett family during this challenging time.
“They don’t have time to grieve when they’re trying to get justice for their loved one,” she said. “So we’re just asking for the community to support this family because they’re going to need it.”
In response to the situation, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office conveyed its sympathies to Stephen Fossett’s family in a statement.
“This unfortunate incident continues to be investigated. Our Internal Affairs unit as well as our criminal investigation unit has been working this case since Mr. Fossett passed. We have only recently received all of the toxicology and autopsy results.
In addition to our office investigations, I have asked the GBI to also follow up with an inquiry of their own.
Once all of these investigations are completed, the findings will be turned over to DA Howard for a determination of any criminal charges.
Our sympathies are with Stephen Fossett’s family, and we hope that soon we can be able to give them clearer insight as to what happened.”
Sheriff David Davis
Bibb County, Ga”
The Fossett family will hold a candlelight vigil outside the Bibb County Jail on October 22 at 6 p.m.
