LOUISVILLE, Ga. –– Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has been retained by the family of Freddie Walker, a Schizophrenic man allegedly tased to death by Burke County deputies in July of 2023. Crump joins local counsel Matt Harmon in representing the family.
Family of Freddie Walker called the police for help when Freddie had a mental health episode due to his condition and not taking medication. Body camera footage shows that before the deadly encounter, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) – Burke County’s ambulance service – were encouraging the deputy to stand back, as they were making progress. A deputy told EMA, before she even entered the scene, that, “It’s possible that it’s gonna result in a tasing.”
Once the deputies approached Freddie, he became combative with them and was tased multiple times before collapsing. When Freddie collapsed, one of the deputies asked what other conditions he had, and EMA responded that he had hypertension. Shortly after, Freddie got up and again was tased. Freddie collapsed and died shortly after.
Attorney Crump issued the following statement:
“We pray for the family of Freddie Walker, who tried to get him help in a desperate time of need. But instead of help, Freddie was confronted by officers who tased him until his heart stopped beating. Once again, this tragic incident highlights the lethal potential of tasers, which, rather than subduing individuals, can prove fatal.
“It is unacceptable that even after learning that Freddie had a heart condition, deputies continued to tase him while he was in an extremely disoriented state. We will keep fighting for justice for Freddie’s family, his memory, and the many others living with mental health disorders who are at risk of suffering a similar fate.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
