Questions have surfaced regarding the mysterious police custody death of Glenn Foster Jr., a Chicago native who played for the New Orleans Saints from 2013 – 2015. He was 31 and a father of two.
Foster, who his parents say was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of about 20, was showing erratic behavior at the time of his arrest. He engaged in a high-speed chase after police in Reform, Alabama attempted to pull him over for going approximately 90 MPH, according to their report. While handcuffed he engaged in a “small, minor tussle” with police, according to Reform Police Chief Richard Black, then was booked into Pickens County Jail on December 4th, 2021. By December 6th, he had died.
At his initial court appearance, he was assessed as being non-compliant and would not participate beyond asking for an attorney. The judge decided he was “not mentally stable and a danger to himself and others” and ordered Foster be held without bond pending a mental evaluation.
Shortly after, Foster died at a medical facility in Northport, Alabama, and the situation remains under investigation by Alabama State Police. No cause of death has been confirmed and Foster’s body was released to the Department of Forensic Science. It is not clear from reports what prompted law enforcement to transfer Foster to a medical facility, and for what reason.
Foster’s family is concerned that he had not received proper treatment given a likely mental health crisis, and have concerns about potential altercations he got into while being arrested and held in jail, and whether these gave way to any serious injuries.
“I can’t get my son back, but we want whoever is responsible to pay for this,” his mother, Sabrina Foster, told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate.
The New Orleans Saints and Foster’s former teammates expressed their condolences via social media.
At this time, it is unclear if the family is represented by an attorney. In situations of police custody deaths, it is imperative to retain an attorney who can help investigate the matter and provide answers for the family. Historically, suspicious deaths in police custody have been shrouded in mystery. In fact, police departments often refuse to release this data or details of the circumstances. Levin & Perconti has experience with police-involved wrongful death cases. Currently, Levin & Perconti is involved in a case for Ricardo Muñoz, a man who was shot and killed by police during a mental health crisis. There are many considerations in cases like these, and having an experienced firm by your side is integral.
Deaths in police custody or as a result of police action have been a source of racial, political, and social justice discussions for decades, but landmark cases like those of Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, and other Black men, women, and children have taken this issue to the forefront of civil justice concerns.
Levin & Perconti is a nationally renowned law firm concentrating in all types of personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death litigation. The lawyers at Levin & Perconti are committed to protecting and vindicating the rights of people who are injured by the negligence of others. Please contact the firm at (312) 332-2872 for a free and confidential consultation.
