JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The mother and six-year-old son of a man who was killed after an incident in the Duval County jail spoke at a peaceful protest on Sunday.
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Charles Faggart died on Thursday after suffering critical injuries from the incident. According to his family’s attorney, Belkis Plata, he “was beaten” and had been “brain dead” since Monday.
The incident that sent Faggart to the hospital led to the removal of nine corrections staff at the Duval County jail, and Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters has asked the FBI to investigate.
The Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) held the rally at 1 p.m. on Sunday, on the steps of the JSO Memorial Building at 501 E Bay St., to “demand justice for all victims of police and jail violence.”
It was the first time that Faggart’s mom spoke publicly. She told everyone that her son was a wonderful human being and that what happened to him should never happen to anybody.
“I am so thankful for the 31 years I got with him, but I should have gotten at least 31 more, and I’m sorry I can’t speak anymore,” Tracey Karpas said through tears.
Faggart’s son, Lincoln, stepped up and said, “Justice for Charles.”
JCAC said that while Faggart’s family is grieving, “this moment is about more than one tragedy.”
The organization wants the sheriff to release the names of the officers involved, along with any video footage of the “incident,” calling the system “corrupt.”
LaRico Collins, a community member, said that as someone who spent time in the Duval County jail, Faggart’s death hits home because it could’ve been him.
“Don’t hold back, don’t hide certain evidence, let it all out,” Collins said. “Expose them deal with them, then the rest of the officers that are actually good, these officers can do their job.”
JCAC said it also demands:
- The termination, indictment, and conviction of all officers involved.
- Civilian oversight and a Public Safety Committee to hold JSO accountable.
- An end to plans for a $1 billion new jail, with funds redirected to community services and rehabilitation.
“We refuse to accept that jail time is a death sentence,” JCAC wrote in a news release about Sunday’s rally.
The release pointed out “repeated scandals” at the jail, including one last year that involved a corrections officer accused of being part of a jail drug smuggling ring.
“Yet instead of fixing these systemic failures, city leaders are pushing for a costly new jail—a band-aid solution that won’t stop the violence," JCAC wrote.
The Northside Coalition of Jacksonville joined JCAC. They also issued a statement on Faggart’s death:
“The Duval County jail was ‘an incident away from a federal court order’ according to the Chief Judge of Florida’s 4th Circuit, Lance Day, and now it appears we have that incident. The FBI will investigate and the US Department of Justice should be next. The officers responsible must be held accountable, along with the Sheriff who has mismanaged the jail. The taxpayers of Jacksonville again will surely be paying out millions in a settlement due to JSO’s actions. I reiterate that we must not only improve conditions in the jail and prevent further deaths, but also reduce the need for people to be in jail in the first place.”
Kelly Frazier, Northside Coalition president
The family’s attorney said on Friday that they have been in communication with JSO and they were assured that the case is a top priority.
