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May 24, 2021

"You Shouldn't Be Able to Breathe": Video Shows TN Man Asphyxiated with Officers' Knees on His Back
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In Tennessee, a newly published video shows officers at the Marshall
County Jail pressing a hogtied man into the floor with their knees on
his back for nearly four minutes - and taunting him as he pleaded with
officers that he could not breathe. Forty-eight-year-old William
Jennette, who was white, died during the violent encounter. The Marshall
County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Jennette's death a homicide - a
combination of drug intoxication and asphyxiation. Despite the ruling, a
grand jury declined to indict any of the officers. The newly surfaced
video shows Jennette shouted, "Help! They're going to kill me!" as
officers cursed at him, with one replying, "You shouldn't be able to
breathe, you stupid bastard."


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