Black man found hanging had sued Alabama police for brutality: ‘It’s not a suicide,’ widow says

A Black man found dead at an abandoned house in Colbert County last month had previously filed a federal lawsuit against Sheffield police officers, alleging police brutality.

Dennoriss Richardson, 39, of Sheffield, was discovered hanging by a rope on September 28, according to civil rights attorney Roderick Van Daniel, who represented him in the lawsuit. Van Daniel has called for a federal investigation into what he describes as a suspicious death.

U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona stated she was not familiar with the case and that the FBI could neither confirm nor deny any ongoing investigation, according to Public Affairs Specialist Toni Herrera-Bast. Meanwhile, Colbert County Sheriff Eric Balentine reported that his office investigated and ruled Richardson’s death a suicide.

Balentine explained that deputies were called to investigate a suspicious vehicle on Highway 72, where they found Richardson hanging from a beam in the carport. His wife, Leigh Ann Richardson, adamantly disputes the suicide ruling. “I need answers,” she stated. “This was made to look like a suicide. It’s not a suicide.”

Leigh Ann Richardson claimed her husband had faced ongoing harassment from Sheffield police, who allegedly suggested they would drop charges against him if he withdrew his federal lawsuit. He consistently refused to comply, she added.

Richardson had filed a lawsuit on February 26 against several Sheffield police officers, including former Lt. Max Dotson, who was fired for a separate assault case against another Black man. The lawsuit detailed instances of alleged abuse during Richardson’s detention in the Sheffield City Jail in late 2022.

Sheffield Mayor Steve Stanley emphasized that any abuse of inmates contradicts city policy and expressed hope that all officers would adhere to standards of respect and humane treatment. 

The town of Sheffield, with a predominantly white population, has faced scrutiny over racial tensions. Attempts to reach Police Chief Ricky Terry and the attorneys representing the city were unsuccessful.

Leigh Ann Richardson, who married Dennoriss in 2012, claimed that the police had harassed him since childhood. He was a father of five and involved in coaching youth sports.

In his lawsuit, Richardson alleged he was beaten, restrained for hours, tased, and sprayed with mace while in custody. On January 9, 2024, he faced additional charges after officers allegedly prevented him from calling 911 for medical help.

Leigh Ann noted that he was out on bond at the time of his death, having decided to turn himself in rather than relocate away from his children.

Richardson last communicated with his wife on September 25, after which she reported him missing. She criticized the police for incorrectly identifying him as a white male in their reports.

Sheriff Balentine suggested Richardson had been depressed, noting conversations with family members who described him as worried about his future. However, Leigh Ann firmly disagreed, stating he was not suicidal.

Richardson’s mother, Bonita, also rejected claims of her son being depressed, asserting that he would never take his own life and had voiced fears for his safety due to his legal battles with the Sheffield police. She expressed disbelief that he would have gone to the area where his body was found, noting it was unfamiliar to him.

Balentine stated that the investigation did not reveal any connections between Richardson and the abandoned property. He mentioned being unaware of the federal lawsuit prior to the family's concerns, emphasizing the thoroughness of their investigation.

Leigh Ann has since sought a private autopsy, as the family continues to question the circumstances surrounding Richardson's death. She believes it was a homicide and insists that her husband was fearful for his life rather than depressed.

Sheriff Balentine expressed a willingness for federal agencies to review the case, reiterating their commitment to transparency and thorough investigation in all cases of suspicious deaths.