CHICAGO, IL – In the 67 days of 2023, at least seven individuals have died while in custody at Cook County Jail. Last week, two individuals died – the first was viciously beaten to death while in his cell while the other, Melvin Turner, died unexpectedly without explanation. His family wants answers.
Melvin Turner, Jr. was released from jail on electronic monitoring for a simple retail theft charge. While on EM, he sought treatment for drug addiction at Jackson Park Hospital. Upon his release, he was brought back to Cook County Jail to be reassigned housing. While in custody, Turner died unexpectedly and without any explanation from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
“The family of Melvin Turner deserves to know what happened in the hours before his unexplained death,” says Larry Disparti, Founder of Disparti Law Group, “and we intend on getting those answers.”
Attorneys from Disparti Law Group have met with the family of Melvin Turner, Jr. and have already reached out to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office seeking information about his death.
“When Melvin Turner, Sr. reached out to our firm, we began investigating his son’s case the same day. We believe Melvin Turner, Jr.’s death resulted from Sheriff Dart’s failure to provide proper medical oversight following his placement in the Cook County Jail’s Residential Treatment Unit. Had Sheriff Dart appropriately assessed Melvin’s medical condition and provided proper care and attention, Melvin’s tragic death could have been prevented. Disparti Law Group looks forward to achieving some measure of justice and peace for his surviving family” remarks Cass Casper, an attorney on the case.
For more information:
Jason Baumann, Director of Communications
(773) 909-5277 Mobile
jason@dispartilaw.com
