Colin Kaepernick To Pay For Second Autopsy For Man Who Mysteriously Died In Jail

Colin Kaepernick has offered to pay for an independent autopsy of 35-year-old LaShawn Thompson, who died last year in a Georgia jail under mysterious circumstances.

Thompson was found dead in his cell in Fulton County Jail in September 2022. At the time, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of his death as “undetermined” but his family believes that his death was a result of the facility’s unsanitary conditions.

LaShawn Thompson autopsy

After hearing about the incident, Kaepernick reached out to the family’s attorney, Ben Crump, and offered to pay for a second autopsy through his Know Your Rights initiative. 

Thompson was arrested for simple battery, which is a misdemeanor. According to his family, conditions of his cell were unfit for anyone to stay in and they released photos.

“The cell he was in was not fit for a diseased animal. This is inexcusable and it’s deplorable,” Michael Harper, the family’s attorney said. Along with the photos of the cell, they also released photos of Thompson’s body which appeared to be covered in bug bites.

Investigation

Since the controversial jail conditions have been released, three jail officials have resigned and the Fulton County Sheriff released a statement and said, “It’s clear to me that it’s time, past time, to clean house.” He also revealed that they are investigating Thompson’s death and are making changes to the facility.