Jury Awards $40M+ in Louisiana Jail Death Case

In a landmark decision, a federal jury in Louisiana has awarded over $40 million to the family of Erie Moore Sr., who tragically died in 2015 while in the custody of a privately-run jail. Attorneys for the family believe this verdict could be one of the largest ever handed down in the U.S. for an in-custody death, bringing a decade-long fight for justice to a significant conclusion.

A Father’s Fight for Truth

Erie Moore Jr., the son of the deceased, shared the profound impact of the trial: “For the past 10 years, my sisters and I have been tormented knowing he is not resting easy.” He added, “This trial has shined light where there was darkness. It has brought our family truth, justice, and peace.”

Erie Moore Sr. was a 57-year-old mill worker and father of three with no prior criminal history. His arrest on October 12, 2015, stemmed from a disturbance at a doughnut shop in Monroe, Louisiana. According to court filings, Moore became agitated and noncompliant during the arrest.

Allegations of Excessive Force and Neglect

Moore’s attorney, Max Schoening, stated that Moore was experiencing mental distress at the time of his arrest. During his 36 hours at Richwood Correctional Center, guards allegedly pepper-sprayed him at least eight times. Security footage submitted as evidence showed Moore being forcefully subdued by multiple guards.

Disturbingly, other footage revealed guards picking up Moore by his legs and handcuffed hands. When one guard stumbled, Moore’s head hit the ground. He was then taken to a secluded area of the jail without security cameras and kept there for nearly two hours. During this time, no medical attention was sought.

The Verdict and Damages

The jury determined that the guards continued to use excessive force against Mr. Moore in the camera-less area. When sheriffs from another agency arrived to transport him, they found him unconscious and unresponsive. He later fell into a coma and passed away about a month later. The Ouachita Parish coroner ruled his death a homicide due to head injuries.

The federal jury found three guards negligent, liable for battery and excessive force. Furthermore, LaSalle Management Co., the operator of Richwood Correctional Center, was found liable for Moore’s death due to the negligence of its employees. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with Moore’s death.

This is the largest compensatory damage award I have ever heard of. — Jay Aronson, Carnegie Mellon University professor and author of “Death in Custody: How America Ignores the Truth and What We Can Do about It.”

The jury ordered LaSalle and Richwood to pay $23.25 million in punitive damages and $19.5 million in compensatory damages to Moore’s three adult children. LaSalle Management Co. operates detention facilities in Louisiana and Texas, and Richwood Correctional Center currently serves as a federal immigration detention site.

Attorney Max Schoening stated, “Erie Moore Sr.’s life was a gift to his family and community. LaSalle Management Co. ended it with utter indifference.” He emphasized that the verdict is a testament to the family’s love and resilience, securing justice and a historic victory for civil rights.