Attorney Troy L. Bowlin of The Bowlin Law Firm has filed lawsuits in the Knox County Circuit Court as well as the U.S. District Court against the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The lawsuit alleges that the KCSO inappropriately punished an inmate through the misuse of a restraint chair. Defendants of the lawsuit include the KCSO, Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones, two supervisors, and additional jail staff.
The combined lawsuits seek to recover damages valued well over $10 million after an inmate, Lavonte Simmons, was allegedly held in a therapeutic restraint chair meant for suicidal inmates using methods that violated the sheriff office's policies. Bowlin is arguing that there were no surveillance cameras on the chair, and that Simmons was not given a proper mental health evaluation.
Learn more about the case on the website for the Tennessee Bar Association.