“Mother Demands Investigation into Guards’ Actions in Inmate Janard Geffrard’s Beating Death at Broward County Jail”

Accident – death – Obituary News :

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – A grieving mother is demanding a thorough investigation into the actions of guards following the tragic death of her son, who was brutally beaten in his jail cell. The victim’s cellmate has confessed to the vicious attack that claimed the young man’s life.

Janard Geffrard, a 29-year-old inmate at Broward County Jail, met with a horrific fate on December 16th. His devastated mother, Marcia Irving, spoke out about the heart-wrenching loss, expressing her desire to uncover the truth surrounding her son’s demise.

“We just want to know what happened,” Irving pleaded. “How did they let him down like that?”

Irving’s anguish is intensified by the gruesome details of the incident. Geffrard’s family attorney, Josiah Graham, revealed that the victim suffered a fractured sternum, broken ribs, and bruised lungs as a result of the merciless beating inflicted upon him by his cellmate, Kevin Barnes.

In a chilling confession, Barnes admitted to deputies that he targeted Geffrard due to his sexual orientation and his alleged lack of personal hygiene. This revelation has added another layer of heartbreak for Geffrard’s loved ones, who struggle to comprehend the cruelty of the attack.

“Could you imagine getting a phone call that your son was brutally attacked?” Irving tearfully questioned.

Adding to the family’s anguish, Irving revealed that she was not notified of the assault until two days after its occurrence. By the time she arrived at the jail, it was already too late. The precious time that could have been used to save her son’s life had elapsed.

Geffrard, who had been incarcerated for six months on a burglary charge, was awaiting transfer out of the jail after being deemed unfit to stand trial. The incident was captured on surveillance video, which revealed a horrifying assault taking place inside the cell. Shockingly, it took Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies over 20 minutes to respond to the assault. Geffrard was then transported to the hospital an hour after the brutal beating.

The case has shed light on a concerning issue within Broward County Jail. According to Broward County Public Defender Gordon Weekes, inmates with mental health issues are not receiving the necessary support and care. Weekes has written a letter to the sheriff addressing this problem, expressing concerns about a culture of indifference that seems to have taken hold within the jail system.

Regrettably, Weekes has yet to receive a response from the sheriff, even though last year Sheriff Gregory Tony himself wrote a letter raising similar concerns about inmates with mental health challenges.

In response to the incident, the Broward Sheriff’s Office issued a statement confirming an ongoing investigation by their Internal Affairs Unit. Two employees, a detention deputy and a detention technician, have been placed on administrative investigative leave with pay.

Kevin Barnes, the cellmate responsible for the fatal attack, is expected to face murder charges.

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