For the fifth time in July, a Black woman has been found dead in a jail cell after being arrested for a minor violation. According to Lower Hudson Journal News, Raynette Turner, 49, was arrested on July 25 in Mount Vernon, New York, for allegedly stealing crab legs from the Restaurant Depot, a wholesale supplier.
Turner was booked into jail on petty theft charges. But on the following day, she complained of feeling sick and was taken to the hospital. She was sent back to her cell after being diagnosed with high blood pressure. Less than 24 hours later, she was found lifeless in her cell.
Turner’s husband, Herman Turner, went to bail her out of jail on Monday and waited for two hours in the court until someone told him about his wife’s condition. Herman believes that his wife’s death is a cover-up and foul play is involved.
Several weeks ago, Sandra Bland made headlines after she was found dead in her cell after an altercation with an aggressive police officer.
Turner’s death will be investigated by New York state’s attorney general. An autopsy will be performed on Turner, but authorities say that it could be weeks before the results are revealed.
