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September 04, 2007
VIRGINIA PRISONER SUING OVER RACIALLY CHARGED ATTACK BY GUARDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VIRGINIA PRISONER SUING OVER RACIALLY CHARGED ATTACK BY GUARDS
Jo’nathan Talbert, an inmate at Red Onion State Prison in Pound, Virginia, will be entering district court on September 27, 2007 for a trial by jury of his civil suit against correctional officers at Wallens Ridge State Prison. He is suing them on a number of counts after allegedly being severely beaten by these officers on September 18, 2005.
Talbert claims that while serving time at the Wallens Ridge prison nearly two years ago he heard a group of agitated guards planning to beat him and falsely claim it was in response to the prisoner’s resistance. These guards then beat him while he was on his knees, shackled, and with his hands cuffed behind his back. As a result, he says, he suffered internal bleeding, blurred vision, lacerations that required stitches, and a number of other injuries. Prior to, during, and after the attack, the officers allegedly yelled racial slurs at Talbert, a black man, and ridiculed his Muslim beliefs. Talbert claims they told him that Islam was no longer a religion since the attacks of September 11, 2001, along with other offensive remarks. Talbert says that following the assault, offending officers had prison nurses strike them to leave marks, fabricating ‘evidence’ that Talbert provoked the beating.
Talbert claims to have medical files, eye witnesses, photographs of his injuries, a videotape showing the unprovoked attack, records showing a history of abuse by the accused guards and in the facility in general, and other evidence to corroborate his case. He is accusing the defendants of: conspiracy, assault and battery, racial discrimination, and violating his freedom of religion, among other offenses.
The Human Rights Coalition – FedUp! chapter was founded in 2005 in response to reports of abuse at the high level security prisons in Virginia’s western district. The group continues to support people in prison who have survived physical abuse and medical neglect, and has expanded its services to Pennsylvania.
Talbert’s case will come before a jury on September 27 and 28, 2007 in the United States District Court, for the Western District of VA, 322 E. Wood Ave., Big Stone Gap, VA 24219. The case is cited as: Talbert v. W. Smith et al, civil action no: 7:05-cv-00736.
Please consider going if you have the means and are in that region or encourage folks that you know in the area to attend and report back.
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To contact Mr. Talbert, write to: Superior Talbert #346496
Red Onion State Prison P.O. Box 1900 Pound, VA 24279
Organization: FedUp! / The Human Rights Coalition
Email: Fedup@riseup.net
Address: 5125 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-802-8575
Posted by lois at September 4, 2007 09:39 AM