The family of Francisco Bazan, the inmate murdered at Bexar County Jail, spoke out strongly on the day of his funeral, calling for sweeping changes and accountability within the jail system. Bazan died following a violent attack inside his cell, a crime for which former jailer Clemente Lopez and four inmates are facing murder charges, as reported by KENS 5.
In a statement that bears the burden of grief, Janice Palma, Bazan’s sister, and their father, Francisco Palma, shared their distress while speaking to KENS 5. They called for a deeper investigation into what they believe is a systemic problem at the Bexar County Jail. "There’s more than just what we can see at the surface and there’s obviously a lot more people involved than these two deputies, that what I feel," stated Janice Palma.
According to the family's attorney, Will Clark, who spoke to KENS 5, the fight for justice is not solely about retribution but also about reform. "With a case like this when we’ve seen repeated conduct that at least raises questions of a systemic problem with our Bexar County jail, the only way we would fix that systemic problem is putting pressure on the people making decisions," said Clark. The heartache is profound, as Bazan, incarcerated on drug charges, was allegedly assaulted over a debt of $40, which his family contends could have been avoided with proper jail oversight.
Further casting a shadow over the jail's operations is another arrest: that of jailer Jorge Alejandro Rocha, who is accused of allowing similar attacks, though not directly connected with Bazan's death. During the investigation, Lopez, while being interrogated, reported Rocha to the Texas Rangers, exposing what may be a deeper vein of misconduct within the jail system, as mentioned by KENS 5. However, the response from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Javier Salazar, has been one of adamant opposition to such abuses of power. "Misconduct will not be tolerated, and we will act swiftly to hold anyone accountable who violates our standards," Sheriff Salazar said in a statement obtained by MSN.
The loss of Bazan has left a void in his family's life, and their resolve for systemic change remains strong. Janice Palma told KENS 5, "I just wish and hope and pray that this doesn’t happen to any other family ever again." Echoing this sentiment, Attorney Clark highlighted the need for a critical examination beyond scapegoating. "I think that everyone’s a little tired of the bad apple defense, that this is just some isolated bad apple," Clark told MSN. "If you keep looking into the bunch and all the apples are bad, well, I don't know if it's just one bad apple."
