Family Of Inmate Killed In Hostage Situation Says Jail Conditions To Blame For His Behavior

The family of the inmate who was shot and killed during the hostage situation spoke out for the first time Monday.

Curtis Williams family was very emotional and blamed the conditions at the jail for his behavior.

The 34-year-old had been in the jail since April of 2019. He was facing multiple charges include rape and firearms charges. Others were added since he was taken into custody including assault and battery on a detention officer.

His family said the person they saw on the Facebook live video was not the person they know. The mother of Williams’ two children said she talked to him hours before the hostage situation.

“At times he would say I just want to die,” said Alyssa Wesley. “I just want to die. I hate being in here. They treat us like dogs."

Those complaints were echoed in the live video by Williams and other inmates.

“From the cell phone video, we saw inmates bleeding for better living conditions,” said Williams’ mom Rhonda Lambert.

“The thing is no life should have been lost,” said Williams’ stepdad Donald Lambert.

The family said they were never contacted by the jail and found out from cell phone video and a local hospital.

“Change has to happen and change is going to happen,” said Chris Johnson.

Along with the family, the Oklahoma Coaltion Against People Abuse also spoke.

They said they will be filing a federal lawsuit against the jail trust and eventually a civil lawsuit for William’s death.

“This jail has roughly 500 people over capacity,” said Johnson. “Trash, filth and ritualistic feedings and murders. We're here to put a stop to that.”

The hostage situation is just the latest in a string of problems since the jail trust took over in July.

We know nine inmates have died in custody since July, including Williams.

News 9 has reached out to jail trust members and the jail's public information officer. KWTV has yet to get a statement from the trust. 

News 9 is waiting for answers to questions the station sent the jail's PIO.

Read: OKC Police Investigate Shooting Death Of Inmate During Hostage Incident Inside Oklahoma County Detention Center