MACON, Ga. – A lawsuit filed in the U.S. Middle District of Georgia alleges that a Georgia Department of Corrections employee ignored warning signs that a man was in danger before being stabbed to death by his cellmate at Macon State Prison. The suit claims that the employee, Lieutenant Latrice Hatcher, had the opportunity to intervene and prevent the tragic outcome.
The victim, Joseph Walter Brown, was serving a 20-year sentence at Macon State Prison with only two years left to go. However, Brown was fatally stabbed by his cellmate, Denarquis Glenn, who had a history of violent behavior in the prison. The court documents paint a picture of Glenn’s well-earned reputation for extreme and unprovoked violence within the prison.
Glenn’s violent tendencies, fueled by the use of an insecticide-soaked paper substance, resulted in multiple attacks on his cellmates, leaving them with permanent serious injuries. Despite the warnings from both Brown and Glenn himself, Hatcher allegedly did nothing to protect Brown, even after frequent fights between the two inmates.
After the first two attacks, Glenn was moved to a separate dorm for problematic inmates, but Brown was still housed with him. The suit claims that Glenn had no business being in a cell with another person, and Hatcher was aware of the danger he posed.
The family is seeking justice for Brown’s death, holding Hatcher personally liable for the tragic outcome. This lawsuit is not an isolated incident, as Macon State Prison has faced similar lawsuits in the past, highlighting concerns about the conditions and safety within the prison.
This case also sheds light on the ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into Georgia prisons for possible civil rights violations and the inability to provide reasonable protection to prisoners. The family’s lawsuit adds to the growing concerns about the safety and well-being of incarcerated individuals in Georgia’s correctional facilities.