Supervisors hear plea from family

By By Chris Allen Baker / staff writer
March 16, 2002
The family of a man who died in custody at the county jail last year have asked Lauderdale supervisors to help them resolve unanswered questions.
Sammy W. Robertson died Oct. 21.
Mother Mary Russell, her son, Gary Robertson, and her daughter Melissa Chism, said no one has given them a straight answer about Robertson's death.
According to jail records, 32-year-old Sammy Robertson was arrested Oct. 20 for public drunk by Meridian police officers. He was booked into the jail at 7 p.m.
At some point in the evening, said jail administrator Doris Callahan, a correctional officer noticed Robertson was unresponsive during a standard check. Metro Ambulance was called as correctional officers attempted to revive him.
Metro personnel transferred Robertson to a local hospital about 2 a.m. He was pronounced dead.
Craig Hitt, District 3 supervisor and president of the board, said both city and county officials should respond since both law enforcement agencies were involved. Hitt said he will speak with both police and sheriff's department representatives.