Local Family Sues OCPD & Oklahoma Co. Officials Following Wrongful Death Of Loved One

A metro family filed a lawsuit last Friday against Oklahoma City police and Oklahoma County officials. The lawsuit was filed exactly one year after 56-year-old Olain Jefferson, Jr. died while in custody. 

Tuesday, a spokesperson for Jefferson’s family said they want the lawsuit to enact change for the way inmates are treated while in custody and justice for their loved one.

It has been a year of heartbreak for Jefferson’s family.

“He was asking for help, but the help ended up in death,” said Chequeta Wooden, cousin.

Wooden’s cousin was at Southwest Medical Center last May when police were called. Authorities said Jefferson was on PCP and was combative towards medical staff.

“The body cam video for me is very disturbing,” said Wooden. 

Officers put a spit hood on Jefferson and kept it on him while they transported him to the Oklahoma County Detention Center. Police said a "minor" use of force was used on the man. However, it was allegedly while Jefferson was in a wheelchair when the exchange turned deadly.

“We see a deputy dump him off onto the concrete from a wheelchair,” attorney Greg Denney said. “And when he does, he throws a blood clot, and that blood clot goes into his lungs and it kills him instantly.”

Jefferson was pronounced dead at the hospital. The medical examiner found; besides the blood clot, Jefferson had a hemorrhage in his skull, broken ribs and multiple abrasions and contusions.

The lawsuit named Oklahoma County commissioners, the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and Oklahoma City police responsible and stated excessive use of force caused Jefferson's injuries and death.

“We want the public to know exactly what happened to Olain,” Denney said. “And I think a lawsuit and the video footage and possibly a jury trial, we’ll have our day in court and the family can obtain justice.”

Jefferson's family is seeking more than $2 million in punitive damages.