According to the wrongful death suit, jail employees intervened in an altercation that Harvey Hill (36) and another inmate over mealtime on May 6, 2018. They handcuffed Hill, beat him, pepper spray on him, and then threw him back in his cell. Hill was found dead in his cell at Merit Central Hospital in Jackson the following day. “We claim that that was a custom, and a practice that Madison County Detention personnel tolerated,” said Derek Sells, of the New York-based Cochran Firm in Mississippi Delta. He is representing Hill’s family. They would beat prisoners if one of the guards made a remark about what they did. They would also punish them in cruel, unusual, and unjust ways to set an example.” Randy Tucker is the Madison County sheriff. Madison County Sheriff’s Department spokesmen said that the suit had not been served and they could not comment. The family’s attorneys claimed that a private investigator obtained eyewitnesses to the beating and that video is available. Carlos Moore, one the attorneys said that Hill was also arrested for misdemeanor theft. A conviction would have likely resulted in a fine of $300-$500. According to the Madison County Journal, Hill was sitting on a swing in a Madison house porch when he was arrested by Madison Police Department. The Journal reported that Hill was convicted of sexual battery in 2001. Hill’s former employer, Hill, told the Journal that Hill visited his house several times that week. However, he said that they had never had an ongoing feud and there had been no money missing. According to Tucker, Hill was said to have been in an altercation after becoming “erratic” and had caused a fight with staff at the jail. Tucker stated that Hill was initially taken to Merit Health Madison, Canton the following day for possible cardiac arrest. He was then transported to Jackson. Moore claimed Hill was among three deaths that were suspicious in the jail’s last year. Moore claimed Madison County has not released an autopsy report on Hill and two other victims of 2018 stays at the jail, whose families Moore is also representing. Lanekia Brown (37), died just before Christmas. Brown, who was in jail since Nov. 26, was pregnant at that time, according to her family. Moore said that Larry Thompson (51), had his legs amputated shortly after he was released from jail in November. He died on Dec. 1. Moore stated that he was informed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice about Hill’s death. On Tuesday, Hill’s family and lawyers described him as a kind man who loved his three pitbulls Conflict, Oreo, and Ears. Katrina Nettles, Hill’s sister said that “he had a great heart.” He was a true sweetheart and would always help others. We just want justice. We just want justice.