Family says comatose relative was 'beat up' at Clayton County jail

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. —
The family of a man on life support at a local hospital believes his injuries were caused by police brutality while he was in the Clayton County jail.

Kevin Guerrier is in a coma at Southern Regional Medical Center.

"His condition is not great right now." Guerrier's cousin Carline Pierre said.

At times, dozens of friends and family members have been keeping a vigil at his side, waiting for signs of life.

"To see him laying in that hospital bed as injured as he is, that's heartbreaking," a friend, said.

Guerrier was taken to the hospital more than a week ago from the Clayton County jail. He'd been behind bars only a few hours after authorities said he rushed a judge during a child support hearing.

Sheriff Kem Kembrough said he was first told Guerrier was taken for medical treatment for dialysis, but then conflicting stories started coming out. Kembrough said doctors now tell him Guerrier's condition was caused by a head injury.

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The family said there was no reason for Guerrier to receive dialysis on that Friday since he'd just received treatment the day before.

Kembrough has called in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to look at whether appropriate force was used and Guerrier received appropriate care.

"He called his girlfriend four to five times and said he was beat up inside the jail and the police beat him up inside the jail and he was having headaches," Pierre said.

Kembrough said several employees are on paid leave until the investigation is complete.

"Any time an inmate is injured or (has a) medical condition, I would want to look that family in the eye and tell them we did our best," Kembrough said Friday.

Guerrier's friends are praying his condition improves and he will be able to tell investigators exactly what happened and when.

"The truth will prevail, that's right," said one friend who only wants to be identified as Mr. Hicks.

WSBTV