Parents of Black teen strangled in jail cell in East Baton Rouge Parish file wrongful death suit

The Advocate 

Hosey and Shantita Colbert, parents of 17-year-old Tyrin Colbert who was strangled by his cellmate in East Baton Rouge Parish prison in February, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday that claims his death was the result of the "unconstitutionally violent and dangerous" way the prison is run.

The Colberts claim in the lawsuit their son died "as a result of both explicit and de facto policies and practices" in the prison and because of the indifference to "serious medical and mental health needs of all prisoners," including their son.

His cellmate at the time of his death, 17-year-old Kermitrius Thomas, has been indicted on second degree murder in Tyrin Colbert's death and is awaiting trial. 

Tyrin Colbert was arrested in November 2015 on a warrant that he tried to rape two boys that summer. He was never charged with the crimes, according to court records, though the required 60-day window in which prosecutors are supposed to file felony charges had passed.

At the time of the 17-year-old's killing, the lawsuit claims fighting and yelling could be heard from their cell, but no staff intervened. Tyrin Colbert was found face down with a blanket around his neck and was transported to the hospital, where he died the next day. [MORE]