Bodycam footage released following man’s death in Knox County custody

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Bodycam footage in the case of a man who died after being in the custody of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office earlier this month was released. The disclosure comes after the Knox County District Attorney’s Office revealed that no charges would be brought against the officers involved.

Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler held a press conference Monday afternoon to discuss the footage release.

Following the death of 46-year-old David Batts on January 8, an attorney representing his family told 6 News that Batts was tased and struck multiple times at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility prior to his death.

The Knox County District Attorney’s Office announced on January 23 that no charges would be filed. District Attorney Charme Allen wrote in her decision that Batts did suffer injuries while in custody, but it was determined the cause of death was attributed to meningitis and his injuries did not contribute to his death. Spangler said that urine analysis indicated that Batts had fentanyl in his system at the time.

Batts’ family has since retained civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who has risen to national prominence for his involvement in several high-profile cases, including the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

“I do not release bodycam footage during an investigation unless there are extenuating circumstances that I deem necessary,” Spangler said. “There’s a reason for it. It’s not that we're trying to hide anything. I’ve been very, very upfront with everyone from the very beginning that we will be very transparent and that’s what we’re doing now.”

Batts was arrested on a charge of sexual battery at the University of Tennessee Medical Center around 1 p.m. on January 7. He was removed from the transportation van at the detention facility around 2:23. KCSO medical staff arrived minutes later to assist Batts following his release from the hospital and review his discharge paperwork. Spangler said that the discharge paperwork and the transportation driver indicated that Batts was intoxicated.

Spangler said that Batts did not comply with a pat down or clothing search, and he was placed in an isolation room due to noncompliance. He remained in the isolation room for over eight hours. Spangler said he was checked by an officer, nurse or supervisor numerous times during this period.

Around 11:11 p.m., Spangler said he continued to refuse verbal commands as staff attempted to check his vital signs.

“Officers entered the isolation room, gained control of Mr. Batts and allowed a nurse to check his vital signs,” he said.

A nurse determined that Batts should be transported back to UT Medical Center via ambulance. Spangler said Batts attempted to grab and bite staff while they dressed him in an inmate uniform for transportation.

Batts was taken back to the hospital around 11:34 p.m. A judge granted Batts a pretrial release from custody around 5:30 a.m. on January 8 and officers at the hospital were relieved of their duties. Batts died around 11:25 p.m. that night.

Spangler said that he initiated correspondence between District Attorney Allen and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation hours after his death on January 8 in an effort to maintain transparency.