Marcus K. Garner
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — An inmate injured during a courtroom fight with Clayton County sheriff’s deputies died Monday, authorities said.
The GBI was called in to investigate the April 6 altercation that left Kevin Garard Guerrier unconscious and hospitalized.
GBI spokesman John Bankhead confirmed Tuesday that Guerrier, 26, had died. An autopsy was scheduled for later Tuesday by the GBI.
Clayton County Sheriff Kem Kimbrough said his office is conducting its own investigation.
“There will not be any disciplinary action taken until after the investigation is complete ... both GBI’s and our own internal investigation,” Kimbrough told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday in an email.
Guerrier was in court for a hearing regarding child support and a temporary protective order, authorities said.
He made an outburst during court proceedings and was ordered removed from the courtroom, authorities said. The man struggled with deputies who tried to restrain him.
Somehow, Guerrier was injured, but varying information about his condition was provided, Kimbrough told the AJC last week.
“I was initially told that he was in the hospital for dialysis,” Kimbrough said. “Then his condition worsened, and the hospital was telling me that he was brain dead.”
A prayer vigil was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today outside Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, where Guerrier was taken after he was injured.
Copyright 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution