Jerry Lawler Files Wrongful Death Suit Over Death Of Son Brian Christopher
One year later...
Jul 29, 2019
Jerry Lawler has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Hardeman County, TN, one year after son Brian Christopher Lawler was found dead in his cell at Hardeman County Jail,
according to Memphis' WMC-5.
Lawler filed the suit on Friday, seeking damages for what he terms "numerous failures of the county and its employees that resulted in the wrongful death of his son."
In July 2018, the younger Lawler was arrested for driving under the influence and evading police. On the morning of Sunday, July 29, Lawler was found to be hanged in his cell. Declared brain dead, Lawler's life support was removed that afternoon, after his father arrived at the hospital to say goodbye.
Brian Lawler's death was ruled a suicide, something Jerry Lawler had previously disputed. He
previously shared photos taken of Brianbefore his death, and claimed the injuries in the photos were not consistent with a suicide.
Lawler spoke at a news conference Monday afternoon alongside attorney Jeffrey Rosenblum to discuss the suit. According to the suit, Brian Lawler was placed in solitary confinement after being assaulted by another inmate, and was allegedly not properly checked for injuries sustained in the fight (which include a suspected concussion, and a wound near his eye).
The suit also alleges that Brian was not assessed for a suicide risk, and was left in a cell with his shoelaces, when it was apparently known that Lawler had previous suicide attempts, as well as a "major depressive disorder".