Tag: Troy Goode

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Troy Goode’s Family Files Suit Against Southaven

Troy Goode

The family of the Memphis man who died in Southaven police custody in July has filed a class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.

The suit seeks damages in the death of Troy Goode from the city of Southaven, the Southaven Police Department, and the emergency workers on the scene at the time of his death.

Goode had taken LSD in the parking lot outside a Widespread Panic show in Southaven on July 18th. According to reports, he began acting erratically before the show, and his wife decided to drive him home. On the way there, she pulled into a parking lot on Goodman Road, and Goode got out of the car. A witness who observed his behavior called police.

When police arrived, Goode reportedly ran around the parking lot and even released a police dog from a van. Southaven police attempted to restrain Goode by hog-tying him, and Goode passed away at Baptist DeSoto Memorial Hospital, where he was transported by police.

The Mississippi state autopsy report blamed LSD for Goode’s death, but his attorney Tim Edwards has disputed that report. An independent autopsy ordered by Edwards found that the hog-tying position led Goode to struggle with breathing and eventually sent his heart into cardiac arrhythmia, leading to his death.

If Goode did actually die from taking LSD, he would be one of very few people to die from direct complications with the hallucinogen. Experts in the fields of hallucinogens and forensic toxicology have long disputed the possibility of an LSD overdose. LSD deaths are more commonly related to trauma experienced from hallucinations, such as when a person on LSD commits suicide or wrecks a vehicle.

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Mississippi State Autopsy Report Blames LSD for Troy Goode’s Death

Troy Goode

LSD killed Widespread Panic fan Troy Goode, at least that’s according to the Mississippi state autopsy report released on Monday.

That’s quite a different conclusion from an independent autopsy report released by Goode’s family attorney Tim Edwards. That report, released last month, determined that Goode died after being hog-tied by Southaven police for an extended period of time. Edwards said the independent autopsy showed that the hog-tying position led Goode to struggle with breathing and eventually sent his heart into cardiac arrhythmia, leading to his death.

Goode, who was from Memphis, had taken LSD in the parking lot outside a Widespread Panic show in Southaven on July 18th. According to reports, he began acting erratically before the show, and his wife decided to drive him home. On the way there, she pulled into a parking lot on Goodman Road, and Goode got out of the car. A witness who observed his behavior called police.

When police arrived, Goode reportedly ran around the parking lot and even released a police dog from a van. Southaven police attempted to restrain Goode by hog-tying him, and Goode passed away at Baptist DeSoto Memorial Hospital, where he was transported by police.

If Goode did actually die from taking LSD, he would be one of very few people to die from direct complications with the hallucinogen. Experts in the fields of hallucinogens and forensic toxicology have long disputed the possibility of an LSD overdose. LSD deaths are more commonly related to trauma experienced from hallucinations, such as when a person on LSD commits suicide or wrecks a vehicle.

In 2007, Eureka, California, resident Martin Cotton died after an altercation with police. He was on LSD at the time, and the coroner there attempted to blame the death on an LSD overdose. His family’s attorney said the death was due to blunt force trauma sustained by injuries from the police. His family sued for wrongful death and won. His daughter received $1,250,000 for pain and suffering and $2,750,000 for wrongful death.

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Letters To The Editor Opinion

What They Said…

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

Greg Cravens

About Toby Sells’ story “New Day at the CA (Again)” …

What concerns me is that now that Gannett will own most of the newspapers in Tennessee, it will attempt to have “one newspaper” for the state, which for Memphis will be tragic, because we aren’t like the rest of the state.

I am happy that we still have at least one locally owned media outlet.

B

Here is an idea for the Flyer: Purchase the rights to use the banner of the Memphis Press-Scimitar or some other historic paper (like the Memphis World or the original Memphis Press) or prepare to launch a new banner such as the Memphis Post. Leverage the foundation provided by the Flyer in concert with the talents of the soon-to-be-unemployed journalists from the CA under the new newspaper banner.

Marketing would not shy from the fact that it is essentially a reconstituted version of the CA, with a renewed focus on local news and continued provisions of national and international information. Absorb advertisers from the CA as local readership and web counts inevitably decline and eventually force the CA out of publication with the new banner assuming the role of the daily newspaper of record.

If I won one of the asininely huge Mega Millions jackpots, I would give you guys the money to do it, with the only caveat being you would hire a staff of top English majors to review each article for spelling and grammatical errors.

Barf

I have been to Des Moines twice within the past few months, most recently at the end of September. As the article indicated The Des Moines Register is now owned by Gannett, and in my opinion, the local coverage of such things, including high school football, has suffered.  The main reason I take the CA is the fairly decent coverage of local events across spectrums. Once the change to Gannett is made, I think many CA subscribers will be disappointed.

MKBW

About Bianca Phillips’ post “Independent Autopsy Shows Hog-tying Killed Troy Goode” …

I don’t think facedown hog-tying is the usual means of restraint in hospitals.

CL Mullins

Surely some sedatives could have been found that would have been safer than hog-tying him.

Smitty 1961

It’s really simple. Treat intoxicated people, and people having a psychological break, differently than violent criminals. The former group doesn’t have the normal protective reflexes that the latter does, so they can die if hog-tied. This was a preventable death.

OakTree

Now that an independent autopsy has been released on the death of Troy Goode, what is being done to hold the correct parties responsible? Have the officers involved been fired? Suspended? Anything?

As friends of Troy Goode, we were angry when he was taken from this world in such an unnecessary and violent manner. However, we did not react violently. We did not call for retaliation. We protested peacefully and waited for answers. Now that those answers are here, we demand swift and fair action.

I had hoped for a proactive response from local government. I  suppose a reactive one will have to do. These murderers cannot be allowed to keep their jobs. Hopefully, they will be charged with the crimes for which they are guilty.

Kyle Wojt

About Eileen Townsend’s Viewpoint, “A Zoo Solution” …

With over one million visitors annually, the Memphis Zoo is the No. 1 tourist attraction in Memphis and the sixth-largest tourist attraction in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

Memphis has few assets. The Zoo is an incredibly important one. We should remember that.

datGuy

About the Flyer’s editorial, “Countering Daesh” …

Don’t want refugees entering your country? Then stop electing criminals who bomb theirs.

Mickey White

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Independent Autopsy Shows Hog-tying Killed Troy Goode

Troy Goode

Widespread Panic fan Troy Goode died after being hog-tied by Southaven Police for an extended period, according to an independent autopsy ordered by Goode’s attorney Tim Edwards.

Edwards made the announcement on Tuesday, but he would not release the full autopsy, citing privacy concerns. The official Mississippi state autopsy report has not yet been released.

Goode, who was from Memphis, had taken LSD in the parking lot outside a Widespread Panic show in Southaven on July 18th. According to reports, he began acting erratically before the show, and his wife decided to drive him home. On the way there, she pulled into a parking lot on Goodman Road, and Goode got out of the car. A witness who observed his behavior called police.

When police arrived, Goode reportedly ran around the parking lot and even released a police dog from a van. Southaven police attempted to restrain Goode by hog-tying him, and Goode passed away at Baptist DeSoto Memorial Hospital, where he was transported by police. Edwards said the independent autopsy showed that the hog-tying position led Goode to struggle with breathing and eventually sent his heart into cardiac arrhythmia, leading to his death.

Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite released the following statement yesterday in response to Edwards’ independent autopsy announcement.

On July 18th, the City of Southaven received a 911 emergency call concerning a Caucasian male (Troy Goode) acting erratically and posing a danger to himself and innocent bystanders along Mississippi Highway 302 (Goodman Road). Southaven Police officers responded to the call immediately. Mr. Goode’s behavior, as noted by several witnesses, included running in and out of traffic, jumping on moving vehicles and opening the door of a Southaven Police K-9 unit.

Based on information provided by these witnesses and Mr. Goode’s behavior, Southaven emergency personnel were also called to the scene. Mr. Goode’s threatening of the responding police officers and emergency medical personnel, along with his resisting arrest and provoking the Southaven Police Department K-9 created concern for the safety of Southaven emergency personnel. Officers were eventually able to restrain Mr. Goode so that he no longer posed a danger to himself or the emergency personnel.

At no time during the arrest or while receiving medical care from Southaven emergency responders did Mr. Goode claim he could not breathe or appear short of breath.

Mr. Goode was placed into an ambulance, where he continued his violent behavior by verbally threatening the responding medical personnel. Because of his continued violent behavior, emergency responders requested that a Southaven police officer ride in the back of the ambulance with Mr. Goode. Mr. Goode was transported to Baptist DeSoto Memorial Hospital where upon arrival his care was transferred from Southaven emergency personnel to hospital staff. Due to Mr. Goode’s agitated combative state, Baptist-DeSoto emergency personnel directed that he remain restrained for his safety and for the safety of the staff providing care. Mr. Goode passed away approximately one hour after his arrival at Baptist-DeSoto Hospital. As has been previously reported by various media outlets, the toxicology report showed the presence of LSD, marijuana and alcohol in Mr. Goode’s body.

This is a tragic situation and we understand the sensitivity of this matter. Also, the City of Southaven is waiting on the official autopsy results; however, given some of the inaccurate assertions that have been circulated, the City of Southaven believed it appropriate to provide a statement on the matter. The men and women of the City of Southaven EMS and Police were faced with a difficult situation and handled Mr. Goode’s arrest in a manner that officers and emergency personnel deemed appropriate and necessary for the safety of Mr. Goode and all persons involved. The City is aware of potential litigation regarding this matter and will put forth a vigorous defense for all its first responders involving all the facts in this matter. In the event of a lawsuit, the City looks forward to this case advancing through the judicial system, not in the media, and the City will not argue this case through media press releases.

The City offers our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Goode.

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Letters To The Editor Opinion

What They Said…

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

Greg Cravens

About Toby Sells’ post, “Zoo Grant to Renovate Herpatarium” …

This is good to hear. Long past time for the zoo to do something about that exhibit. Now if they could only get a grant to update the aquarium.

Jeff

Yes, the aquarium is very sad. The exhibit at a tropical fish store is better. Maybe they should just outsource it to a tropical fish store. I bet they’d do it for free.

DatGuy

How about a grant for parking, so the zoo can stop destroying our historical greensward?

Susan Williams

About the Flyer cover story, “The Lipscomb Affair” …

In 2005, my sisters and I got together with friends to form the group Save Libertyland. Mayor Herenton had just closed down the park out of the blue. In early 2006, Save Libertyland began meeting with city officials, mainly Robert Lipscomb. I dubbed him “Man of Many Hats” for his various high-profile, high-paying administrative positions.

For years, until we moved away, my sisters and I got strung along by Lipscomb. He played everyone in Save Libertyland with his “charrettes” and charades. We began calling for a HUD audit of Lipscomb’s offices. Memphis’ current breaking scandal and Lipscomb’s suspension (with pay?!) has shocked former members of Save Libertyland. The mounting allegations against him bring back a flood of sad memories from our long fight to save teenage summer jobs, recreation, tourism, and most importantly, family togetherness. We knew he was a liar with power over people’s lives and livelihoods; we did not know to what extent.

Denise Parkinson

On Bianca Phillips’ post about Troy Goode …

Many questions remain unanswered about the cause of death in the Troy Goode case. It seems to me that the Southaven district attorney’s office, mayor’s office, and police department are not doing anything to get to the bottom of this death. If it turns out that Troy Goode died as a result of police misconduct, this could be a criminal matter. I hope with all of my heart that they continue to look for facts in this matter and do not rest until justice is served for Troy Goode and the family he left behind.

Things the media tell us that are facts: Troy Goode was bitten by police dogs. He was thrown to the ground by police and hog-tied. He was strapped facedown on a gurney while still hog-tied and put into an ambulance. Troy’s family was not able to see him in the ambulance or the hospital. He died while in police custody. He was never arrested or read his rights. 

Troy left behind a wife and baby, as well as his parents, siblings, and many friends. Please help in any way you can to make sure Troy gets justice. 

Dan Tupis

About Eileen Townsend’s story, “With This Ring” …

I care about professional wrestling just a little bit more than I care about Donald Trump, which is to say, not much. But I found myself reading Eileen Townsend’s article about it simply because it’s so beautifully written. As with John McPhee, it’s the prose that dazzles, and the subject becomes secondary.

Corey Mesler

About Jackson Baker’s Politics column, “Close, But No Cigars” …

Terry Roland seems to have settled down to a mostly respectable politician the past couple of years. I honestly don’t know whether he’s angling for Mark Luttrell’s job. I’ve not given him much consideration or respect because of his behavior and rants of past years, but the new Terry Roland is making me consider changing my opinion of him.

Midtown Mark

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Troy Goode Toxicology Report Finds LSD and Pot

Troy Goode

A toxicology report has confirmed that Troy Goode, the Memphis man who died in police custody in Southaven on July 18th, had taken LSD and smoked pot before his death.

Goode is reported to have taken LSD in the parking lot of the Snowden Grove Amphitheater before a Widespread Panic show, but when he began acting erratically, his wife decided to drive him home.

She pulled the car over into a parking lot on Goodman Road, and he got out of the car and ran around the parking lot. Someone called the police, and Goode reportedly continued to act erratically when they showed up. He tried to release a police dog from a van.

Officers attempted to subdue him by hogtying him, a controversial practice that some believe could have contributed to his death. He was pronounced dead later at a hospital. A full autopsy has not been released yet.

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Letter From The Editor Opinion

Nothing From Nothing …

Sometimes on Tuesday morning, I stare at my laptop, looking for words. Sometimes, I say to myself, “I got nothing.”

So, what I can say about two young men who were killed in encounters with area police officers last weekend? Not enough is known about either case at this point to be able do anything but ask the obvious question: Why were trained police officers unable to subdue two unarmed men who had not committed a crime without hog-tying or shooting them?

In the case of Darrius Stewart, the 19-year-old man shot by a Memphis cop who claimed he was attacked with his own handcuffs, we have the small comfort of knowing the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is going to examine the incident rather than the district attorney’s office, which is notoriously cozy with the Memphis Police Department (MPD). The case, of course, is further inflamed by the fact that the officer involved is white and Stewart was black.

I say “small comfort” because TBI records are sealed by state law, so we won’t be privy to whom they interviewed, what the witnesses’ and officers’ testimonies were, etc. unless TBI decides to release its evidence. We can only hope they will conduct a transparent and unbiased inquiry that sheds real light on the case. That doesn’t always happen.

You may remember an incident in 2013, in which a young black man, Steven Askew, was sleeping in his car outside his girlfriend’s apartment, waiting for her to get home. Two MPD officers knocked on his car window, then shot him a couple dozen times in the back. The officers claimed they killed Askew because he pulled a gun on them. The incident was investigated by the DA’s office, which cleared the cops of wrongdoing, even though one of the officers had a lengthy and ugly history of misconduct, anger-issue counseling, and departmental reprimands. Even though the officers used very questionable police techniques.

Askew’s family filed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against the department and the city — which I predict they will win. This case was pre-Ferguson. If it had happened last week, I have no doubt the TBI would have been involved at an early stage rather than leaving the case for the local DA to resolve.

Meanwhile, down in Southaven, there was the case of Troy Goode, a young man who was acting erratically in a strip mall after leaving a Widespread Panic concert. Police eventually subdued Goode, hog-tied him, and sent him to a hospital, where he died shortly after arriving. Goode was apparently asthmatic and on hallucinogens, which could have contributed to his death, but hog-tying is not a smart police technique. The city of Memphis paid several million dollars to settle a police hog-tying death a few years back.

Stewart’s family has retained counsel, and I would be very surprised if a lawsuit isn’t filed. There’s no word yet on whether Goode’s family will take legal action, but I wouldn’t bet against it.

Being a police officer is a harrowing and difficult job. Mistakes get made, sometimes fatal ones. Anger and emotion spring up to fill the void of losing a loved one. Speculation and premature conclusions abound. Lawsuits get filed. Then settlements happen, settlements which often cost taxpayers millions. But the dead are still dead.

Last weekend, two young men died; now two families are in pain. Beyond that, I got nothing.

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Preliminary Autopsy Indicates Goode May Have Died of Heart Problem

Troy Goode

Troy Goode, the Widespread Panic fan who died Saturday night after he was hog-tied by Southaven Police, is believed to have died from a heart problem, according to the latest findings from his preliminary autopsy.

Goode had reportedly taken LSD before the Widespread show, and he and his wife were driving to the concert when Goode reportedly got out of the car and was acting erratically. Police responded to the scene and tried to restrain Goode by tying his hands and feet together. Goode had been reportedly trying to kick at officers and EMTs on the scene. Goode died not long after he was restrained.

The incident led some to question how Goode died and whether or not the police restraint method was the cause. A small protest against the Southaven Police was held there last night. But DeSoto County District Attorney John Champion said, after reviewing the preliminary autopsy report, that Goode may have died from a heart issue.

Below is a video taken by a bystander.

A writer for the national political website Wonkette has spoken to the Goode family’s attorney. He had harsh criticism for Southaven police procedures, including hog-tying and possible tasing.