The trial for two Shelby County corrections deputies facing charges in the death of inmate Gershun Freeman has been moved from April to November. According to Action News 5, Stevon Jones and Courtney Parham will now stand trial on November 3 due to the unavailability of an expert witness for the original date of April 21. They are indicted on second-degree murder and aggravated assault charges.
Seven other corrections deputies are also charged with aggravated assault in connection to the incident at the Shelby County jail in October 2022. These deputies—Jeffrey Gibson, Anthony Howell, Damian Cooper, Ebonee Davis, Lareko Donwel Elliot, Chelsey Duckett, and Charles Gatewood—will appear in court on November 21 to set a trial date, as reported by Local Memphis. The two groups of defendants will be tried separately based on their locations in the jail during the incident, with Jones and Parham being assigned to the 5th floor, as stated by Judge Chris Craft.
The case has attracted attention due to jail surveillance footage showing Freeman, who was reportedly having a psychotic episode, charging from his cell and being punched and kicked by multiple deputies, according to FOX13 Memphis.
Freeman, 33, collapsed and died after the altercation. The autopsy revealed that his death was caused by the worsening of cardiovascular disease due to the physical confrontation, with a likely psychotic disorder contributing to his condition. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner defended his deputies in a September 2023 news conference, stating, "Let me be clear. No action — no action — by any Shelby County Sheriff's Office employee caused Mr. Freeman's death." He also expressed his willingness to support the deputies financially, saying he would be "the first one to donate" to any fundraiser for their legal fees, Local Memphis reported. The postponed trials will further reveal details surrounding Freeman's death and the deputies' actions on that day.
