DP&S Partner Thad Spalding Argues Closely Watched Tarrant County Jail Death Appeal Before Fifth Circuit

Durham, Pittard & Spalding partner Thad Spalding presented oral argument before the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in a closely watched civil rights appeal arising from the death of Anthony Johnson Jr. while in custody at the Tarrant County Jail.

Spalding represents Johnson's family along with trial counsel Daryl Washington of Washington Law Firm, P.C., in an effort to revive claims against Tarrant County and several jail officials after a federal district court dismissed them from the lawsuit.

Johnson died of asphyxiation in April 2024 after an encounter with detention officers inside the jail. According to the lawsuit, county policies, customs and training deficiencies contributed to the events leading to his death. The case has drawn significant public attention and extensive media coverage because of broader concerns about jail conditions and inmate deaths at the Tarrant County Jail.

During Tuesday's argument, Spalding told the Fifth Circuit that the complaint sufficiently alleges a pattern of inadequate training and policies regarding inmates experiencing mental health crises, and that those systemic failures—not merely the actions of individual officers—contributed to Johnson's death.

The appeal highlights Durham, Pittard & Spalding's extensive experience handling complex appellate matters involving constitutional issues, governmental liability and high-profile civil litigation. You can listen to the oral arguments here.