In a tragic series of events in Knoxville, David Batts, a 46-year-old maintenance worker for Knoxville Area Transit (KAT), lost his life following an altercation with law enforcement and subsequent detention at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility. The interactions with various authorities began at the transit hub after an alleged incident involving a stolen vehicle. Batts was then believed to be in possession of heroin and experiencing a mental health crisis, which led to his transport to the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC), as reported by WBIR.
Whilst at the hospital, Batts reportedly assaulted two nurses, which led to his arrest and subsequent transport to the detention facility, per the arrest documents cited by KPD's Scott Erland, which were disclosed by WVLT; thereafter, it was claimed that he was hit and stunned with a Taser by Knox County officers at the jail, according to statements made by lawyer Lance Baker, who represents Batts' family, and during his time in custody before being taken back to UTMC he died.
Details on the exact sequence of actions that led to Batts’ injuries and his untimely death remain hazy; nonetheless, Baker remarked in a statement to WVLT, "We do not know what else occurred that would have resulted in his injuries that caused David's death." The Knox County Sheriff's Office is taking the matter gravely, with Sheriff Tom Spangler expressing a commitment to a thorough investigation; furthermore, questions linger about whether the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will probe into the incident, as they have yet to be solicited to conduct an inquiry according to TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart.
Amid demands from the family for an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death, photos shared by Baker present Batts in the hospital appearing unconscious and intubated, his face bearing bruises and cuts, however, the full account of what transpired at the detention facility that could have led to these injuries remains to be disclosed; Batts' family, clearly agonized, is seeking clarity on the tragic events that unfolded. The Knox County Regional Forensic Center has been approached by WBIR to obtain a copy of the autopsy report as the quest for answers continues in this deeply troubling case.
