Jaimeson D. Cody faces guards seconds before he s tased during an April 27 struggle. Those of us old enough to remember VHS can appreciate recent footage from the Sangamon County jail, where six people have died since 2007. It s herky-jerky stuff, with frames taken every second or so, and plenty of grain – better footage, almost, was taken on Omaha Beach nearly 80 years ago. There s no sound. And maddening gaps. This time, it s 91 seconds of missing footage from a camera that appeared to have the best viewpoint of a fatal encounter between Jaimeson Daniel Cody and jailers just outside his cell on April 27. One second, you see guards standing outside Cody s cell, the next – one minute and 31 seconds later – everyone is on the floor. In 2013, the county paid $5.2 million, including legal fees, to resolve a lawsuit filed after Amon Paul Carlock died after being tased in the jail, with courtroom fights over missing
Another death in the Sangamon County jail Sheriff Jack Campbell has a history of defending Taser use that s led to deaths and lawsuits. One question burns after the latest death at the local jail: Why have so many people
died under the noses of people employed by the Sangamon County sheriff s office? Say their names. Bobby Ray. Amon Paul Carlock. Maurice Burris. Pat Burns. Alonso Travis. Tiffany Rusher. And now, Jaimeson Daniel Cody, who died last week after being tased in the jail. Since 2007, there have been at least seven tragedies, three involving Tasers. That might not seem like many, given 14 years, but Sangamon County is not a big place.