The FBI has opened an investigation into the death of Dennoriss Richardson, a 39-year-old Black man who was found hanging in an abandoned house in Colbert County, Alabama. Local authorities had ruled the death a suicide, but Richardson’s family, particularly his mother, suspects foul play.
Discovery and Initial Ruling
In September, Richardson was discovered hanging in an abandoned house located in a remote part of Colbert County, nearly 30 minutes from his home in Sheffield, Alabama. The Colbert County Sheriff’s Office initially classified his death as a suicide. Sheriff Eric Balentine cited the findings of the coroner’s autopsy report, which confirmed the cause of death as hanging.
Family's Skepticism and Allegations
Richardson’s mother, Bonita Richardson, disagrees with the suicide ruling, claiming her son had no ties to the house where he was found and left no note. She expressed strong doubts over the conclusion reached by local law enforcement and voiced concerns about potential foul play. “I would not accept a suicide ruling,” she told ABC News. “I will not allow [the case] to be closed until justice is found.”
Bonita Richardson has implied that the Sheffield Police Department might be involved due to her son’s recent federal lawsuit against the department. In February, Richardson filed a suit accusing the department of excessive force, including being tear-gassed, stunned, and denied medical care while in custody.
Sheffield Police Lawsuit and Prior Incidents
Richardson’s lawsuit alleged that officers used unnecessary force and abused their authority during his previous arrests. The Sheffield Police Department has denied these allegations and filed a motion to dismiss the case in May.
Richardson had several prior interactions with local law enforcement, including arrests on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to drug trafficking. His attorney, Roderick Van Daniel, stated that most of these charges were eventually dropped, with the exception of a drug possession conviction in 2006.
Sheriff’s Decision to Involve FBI
Despite the sheriff’s confidence in the suicide ruling, Sheriff Balentine requested the FBI’s involvement to ensure transparency. Balentine stated that he understood the family’s concerns and wanted to provide them with peace of mind. “If it had been one of my daughters or any family member of mine, I would want to be sure that no stone was left unturned,” he explained.
FBI Response and Investigation
The FBI’s Birmingham office confirmed it is reviewing the circumstances surrounding Richardson’s death and will investigate if there is evidence of a potential violation of federal law. “The FBI takes allegations of federal law violations seriously,” a spokesperson stated, acknowledging the gravity of the case.
Community Concerns and Prior Complaints
Sheffield Mayor Steven Stanley noted that Richardson had raised concerns about racial profiling during past visits to his office. Although Mayor Stanley confirmed that their interactions were civil, Richardson had mentioned feeling profiled by the police. The mayor assured Richardson that such behavior would not be tolerated if confirmed.
Conclusion
As the FBI investigation proceeds, the family of Dennoriss Richardson awaits further clarity. Sheriff Balentine has withheld additional details due to the ongoing federal investigation, emphasizing the department's commitment to full transparency.
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