Inmate deaths at Shelby County Jail outnumber other Tennessee counties
While Shelby County has the highest number of deaths, when accounting for average population, Knox County has had proportionally more inmate deaths than Shelby County, according to the data provided. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
While announcing the death of 22-year-old Sherman Weakley in February, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner called it “probably one of the saddest cases I’ve seen.”
Weakley, arrested in December on aggravated burglary charges, died Feb. 1 after being found unresponsive outside his jail cell. His autopsy attributed his death to suicide.
“Mr. Weakley’s mental health issues had nothing to do with the Shelby County Jail but more about perhaps the life he lived growing up in Memphis,” Buckner said during a Feb. 3 press conference.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Subscriber Only Shelby County Jail 201 PoplarWe’re in the final countdown of 2025. ⌛🪩🎉
Will you make a donation before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve to fuel trustworthy reporting in the new year?
➡️ Make a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian, a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now!
Aarron Fleming
Aarron Fleming covers public safety for The Daily Memphian, focusing on crime and the local court system. He earned his bachelor’s in journalism and strategic media from the University of Memphis.
Public Safety on demand
Sign up to receive Public Safety stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.