On March 14, 2021, 26 year old Marvin Scott was arrested for marijuana possession.
Officers documented Scott possessing less than two ounces of marijuana.
According to S. Lee Merritt, the Scott family lawyer, “Scott sometimes used the drugs to self medicate after he received a schizophrenia diagnosis two years prior”
Ultimately Scott was taken to the county jail but on the report of the sheriff, several officers attempted to fasten Scott to a restraint bed after he displayed “some strange behavior”.
Surveillance videos released in July 2021, revealed officers were struggling with Scott moments before he was pepper sprayed. A slut face mask was also applied to his face.
Hours later, Scott was unresponsive and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
24 hours after Scotts death, Sheriff Jim Skinner placed seven officers on administrative leave. These officers were later terminated but never charged with the death of Scott.
Four employees appealed this decision of termination to the Civil Service Commission and the Commission found that all four employees breached jail policies and procedures.
Although the Commission found violations, 2 employees terminations was affirmed. A sergeant was reestablished as an employee but his position was lowered to a detention officer. The last detention officer was also reestablished but received a 10 day suspension.
