FORT WORTH, Texas — The family of Anthony Johnson Jr. held a press conference July 2 announcing they had won an important victory with the June 25 indictment of two Tarrant County jailers for the murder of their son. Johnson, a 31-year-old former Marine, died of asphyxiation at the hands of correctional officer Rafael Moreno April 21. The Sheriff’s Office claimed he died from a “medical emergency.”
A cellphone video taken by the jailers’ supervisor, Joel Garcia, shows Johnson face down, handcuffed and not resisting, with Moreno kneeling on his back. Johnson can be heard saying, “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe.” Garcia and Moreno have both been fired and are each out on $125,000 bail.
Johnson had a schizophrenic episode two days earlier and his family took him to WellBridge Healthcare, a Fort Worth mental health hospital. According to the family, the hospital turned him away, saying he was not violent toward himself or others. Police arrested Johnson a few hours later, saying he was wielding a knife. Johnson called his family the next day and told them he was doing better. The following day he was dead.
“The family is demanding that Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn resign, that the public be able to see the full video and charge all others who participated in the homicide,” Michael Bell, convener of Unity in the Community Coalition, told the press. Only five minutes has been publicly released.
“His death was egregious.” Daryl K. Washington, the family’s attorney, said. “The full video is damning. You see the jailer punch Anthony and pepper spray him in the mouth. The family is making it clear this is not only about Anthony, but all the others.
“The family wants Anthony’s death not to be in vain,” he said. “Sixty-five percent of inmates are dealing with some percentage of mental illness.” He added that a civil suit will be filed against the sheriff and former Chief Charles Eckert, who has resigned.
Since 2017, 63 inmates have died in the county jail. This includes 11 from COVID-19, six suicides and 32 from “other natural causes.” Tarrant County has paid $2.8 million in settlements for deaths, abuse and neglect in the jail.
“Everyone must see the full video. People shouldn’t be treated like this,” said Johnson’s father, Anthony Johnson Sr. “We’re going to get accountability.”
“I am thankful for the two indictments, but the whole system is at issue,” said Chanell Johnson, one of Anthony Johnson Jr.’s sisters.
“I want to express my solidarity with the Johnson family,” Alyson Kennedy, Socialist Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate from Texas, said at the press conference. “My campaign will get the word out about your case and why working people should support your fight. I am also a member of UNITE HERE Local 23 at Sky Chefs. I will take this back to my co-workers and my union.”