The FBI has opened a civil rights investigation into the death of a man whose family alleges he died because Lumberton police officers beat him.
FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap confirmed the investigation Thursday by phone, but cautioned that opening a case does not mean there was wrong-doing.
``One of the reasons we do confirm these types of investigations is so the community has extra reassurance,'' Dunlap said.
The family of Kevin Jibreel LaDay, 35, alleges that officers beat him to death after his car ran into a ditch in Lumberton.
``They beat my child,'' said Kevin's mother, Sandra LaDay of Port Arthur.Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said by phone Thursday that he ``strongly denies'' that allegation.
``He was not beaten, I'll tell you that right now,'' Sullins said. ``I can tell you that did not occur.''
LaDay was driving in Lumberton when his car ended up in a ditch on the side of Pine Burr.
Police got a call about the car about 3:30 a.m., according to a news release from Sullins.
When two Lumberton officers arrived, they saw LaDay walking from behind the nearby DuPont Goodrich Credit Union.
According to Sullins' release, LaDay ran from the officers.
The officers caught LaDay, and he began to fight them, Sullins said. Officers were able to ``gain control'' of LaDay after a ``lengthy altercation,'' according to Sullins release.
The officers called EMS to the scene and LaDay was transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Two Hardin County Sheriff's deputies were also on the scene after responding to an ``officer in distress'' call, said Sheriff Ed Cain by phone.
``It's not my belief that anyone beat anyone,'' he said.
An autopsy has been ordered.
Sandra LaDay has a different set of facts.
She said her son, who had been living with a sister in Beaumont, called her at 3:47 a.m. to tell her the older model Geo was in the ditch. He had been visiting a friend in Lumberton.
While she was on the phone with him, the police drove up, she said.
``All of a sudden, he said, `don't do that, don't do that,''' LaDay said by phone. ``I said, `who you talking to, baby?' And then the phone just went silent.' ''
LaDay believes that the officers beat Kevin LaDay, causing his death. She has hired onetime Rodney King lawyer Milton Grimes of Los Angeles to represent the family in the lawsuit she plans to file.
LaDay said she also has contacted the Black Panthers, which plans a march in Lumberton on Monday; Al Sharpton; President Barack Obama's administration and the FBI.
The family plans to have a second autopsy done.
``I've been doing the necessary things,'' LaDay said. ``I won't let it go down like this.''
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6402488.html
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