Dramatic allegations of excessive force and conspiracy have surfaced in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Jerome Stevenson, Jr. The complaint, submitted by Dalesha Christopher and Nadean Bailey on November 1, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, accuses several law enforcement officers and officials from Avoyelles Parish of orchestrating a brutal attack that led to Stevenson's death.
The plaintiffs allege that Byron Oneal White and Frank Overbey III, law enforcement officers for Avoyelles Parish, along with Bruce Cazelot, the warden of Avoyelles Parish Detention Facility 1, conspired to retaliate against Stevenson following an altercation involving a corrections officer. The lawsuit claims that these individuals acted "knowingly, recklessly, intentionally" in planning an assault on Stevenson as retribution. The suit further implicates Sheriff David L. Dauzat and other entities including the Parish of Avoyelles and the State of Louisiana through its Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
According to court documents, Jerome Stevenson was incarcerated at Avoyelles Parish Detention Center 1 when he became embroiled in an argument with his cellmate on November 3, 2023. This incident reportedly resulted in an injury to a corrections officer. In retaliation for this event, Officers White and Overbey allegedly conspired to physically assault Stevenson as "payback." Warden Cazelot is accused of not only failing to prevent this plan but also actively participating in it by sending messages directing officers to "arrest" Stevenson using physical force.
The complaint details how on November 4, 2023, Officers White and Overbey removed Stevenson from his cell under false pretenses and took him to a secluded area without surveillance cameras where they brutally beat him. Witnesses claim Warden Cazelot was present during the attack. Stevenson's injuries were catastrophic; he suffered severe trauma leading to brain damage and ultimately died on November 8, 2024. His death was ruled a homicide caused by blunt force injuries and asphyxiation.
Initially denying involvement in Stevenson's death, Warden Cazelot and Officers White and Overbey allegedly attempted to cover up their actions by blaming another inmate. However, after public outcry and investigation revealed their roles in the incident, charges were brought against them: Officer Overbey faced charges related to second-degree murder while Officer White was charged with malfeasance.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for wrongful death under federal civil rights laws (42 U.S.C §1983) as well as state laws including Louisiana Civil Code articles concerning wrongful death (article 2315). They demand accountability for what they describe as unprovoked excessive force resulting from deliberate indifference towards Stevenson's constitutional rights.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Joseph S. Piacun and Christopher P. Lawler from Piacun Law Firm LLC based in Metairie, Louisiana. The case is identified under Case No. 1:24-cv-01501 with proceedings overseen by Judge Section Magistrate Division.