The search for accountability in the tragic death of Jorden Simms commenced Tuesday in a Tucson federal court as her family seeks justice against the Graham County sheriff's department. Representing the estate of Simms, who died after exiting a moving police vehicle in 2019, attorneys brought forth allegations of negligence against the law enforcement officials involved in her transport. This wrongful death trial notably began four years after the incident that led to Simms' untimely demise, with a predominantly female jury presiding over the case.
Simms, a 28-year-old arrested on shoplifting charges and an outstanding warrant, managed to free herself from handcuffs, a belly chain, and ankle restraints. She then opened the police vehicle door, which should have been childproofed, but was not—and leapt to her death. According to 12 News, the events preceding her escape included allegations of two separate sexual assaults by officers, which were later deemed inconclusive by authorities.
The attorney for Simms' mother argued in court that the negligence of the law enforcement officers directly contributed to her death. Citing Simms' "red tag" status as a flight risk and a history of mental health challenges, the attorney, David Joseph Catanese, criticized the officials' failure to maintain direct line of sight and questioned their decision to let her use the bathroom unsupervised. In defense, Graham County's representation painted a conflicting image of a calculated escape, wherein Simms orchestrated her departure with subtle manipulations, including requests to turn up the heat to mask the sound of her shedding her restraints.
The trial, overseen by Judge John Hinderaker, is expected to feature testimony from several witnesses, including the two law enforcement officials in the car at the time of Simms' fatal action. Despite the Arizona Attorney General's prior review, which found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, Simms' family hopes to prove a level of negligence warranting civil compensation. This civil case follows the announcement by the attorney general's office confirming no charges would be filed against the officers involved. An accusation that adds a layer of complexity to an already tangled narrative.
As the case unfolds, the court will likely scrutinize the conduct and oversights of the officers, including their lack of familiarity with the child safety locks in the vehicle, discovered by the Department of Public Safety investigation. Amidst the backdrop of these legal proceedings, Deborah Sanchez, the mother of Jorden Simms endures the painful pursuit for closure over the tragic loss of her daughter. In a statement obtained by 12 News, Sanchez expressed her conviction that her daughter's death was unjust, stating, “My daughter didn't deserve to die. No matter what.” Officer Jeremiah French, one of the officers involved, has since retired from the Safford Police Department.
