WWE Hall of Famer Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler is suing the Tennessee Sheriff’s Department for the death of his son, pro wrestler Brian Christopher, according to TMZ Sports.
Lawler’s attorney, Jeffrey Rosenblum says that Brian, who suffered from depression, informed officers during his 2018 arrest that he had attempted to commit suicide in 2013 and 2015, but despite that information, officials at the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Dept. made no effort to protect him from himself.
Christopher was allegedly attacked by another inmate, suffering a head injury, left eye gash, and a possible concussion, but officials reportedly refused to get him medical attention, and instead placed him in solitary confinement with his shoes and shoe laces.
Lawler, 46, then used the laces and the large bolts sticking out of the walls of the cell to hang himself.
Additionally, the jail was so ill-prepared for an attempted suicide, that they only had children’s scissors to cut Lawler free.
Prior to committing suicide, Lawler allegedly cried out for help repeatedly, and screamed that he needed to go to the hospital, but never received medical attention.
Jerry states that he was “promised” that Brian would get the proper treatment for his issues, which led to his decision not to pay the money to bail him out.
Jerry also states that he personally met with the Sheriff while Brian was still in custody to explain that his son needed help for several issues, including drug and alcohol treatment.
The suit, which is seeking $3 million for compensatory damages “with an additional award of punitive damages to be determined by the jury for the benefit of Brian’s minor son”, is the family’s attempt to hold officials accountable, and is also requesting an apology from the Sheriff’s Dept. and a court order “requiring Hardeman County to correct their unconstitutional deficiencies so that no other family has to go through what this family has had to endure over the past year.”
The money from the suit is aimed to support Brian’s son.