Al Sharpton calls for DOJ investigation into Shelby County Jail at Ramon McGhee funeral

The funeral for Ramon McGhee, who was found unresponsive in the Shelby County Jail covered in feces and bugs and later died, was held Tuesday at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. Rev. Al Sharpton, a nationally renowned Baptist minister and civil rights leader, eulogized McGhee and called for action in the wake of his death.

Lisa Shahan Choat, mother of McGhee walked alongside Sharpton as the service began. Choat, at a press conference before the service, said she is not ready to say goodbye to her son just yet, so she will say "Hello."

"I will see you again, so I will endure, and you stay asleep and when you wake up, I will be there," Choat said.

The family and friends of McGhee, who died in January, processed into the service carrying candles with his face on them. The candles were lit while individuals shuffled into the pews. A video played at the start of the service, and featured photos of McGhee with his family playing sports and some of his drawings.

Ally Smith gave a spoken word poem at the start of the service, and the themes largely revolved around 201 Poplar and the deaths inside the jail.

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"201 Poplar, one of the longest streets in Memphis and homes to the most diverse circumstances, a place where families become isolated from loved ones where mothers face the impossible, trying to find the right words to let go of their sons and daughters," Smith's poem read.

After the poem, Sharpton gave his eulogy for McGhee, which largely called for action from the federal government to investigate the conditions of the jail and the various deaths inside.

"The Justice Department needs to find out what is going on in Shelby County Jail," Sharpton said.

After Sharpton spoke, attorney Ben Crump, who is currently representing multiple familes whose loved ones have died in 201 Poplar, spoke. Crump called for action regarding the death of McGhee and others.

Later on, Choat stood in front of the alter next to a picture of McGhee and spoke about her love for her son. She said that McGhee was a handsome man, who loved to paint and dance and cared for all those around him.

Other families who had a loved one die in 201 Poplar also had their family members eulogized. Tyre Nichols' parents were in attendance along with other activists in the Memphis community.

Gershun Freeman, who died in October 2022, Deion Byrd, who died in October 2023, Marcus Donald, who died in November 2022, and Tommy Young, who died in February 2020, had family members all speak about them.

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Freeman's father George Burke choked up as he spoke about his sons death, saying that the justice system "failed him."

"What they did to my son, he didn't deserve that, none of our kids deserve that," Burke said. "When they go to 201 Poplar they are supposed to protect them."

What happened to Ramon McGhee?

McGhee was found "unresponsive" in his cell at 201 Poplar on Jan. 10, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. He was taken to Methodist University Hospital and pronounced dead two days later.

TBI's investigation into McGhee's death is ongoing, and no criminal charges have been filed.

McGhee's manner of death, according to an independent autopsy sent to The Commercial Appeal by Crump, was listed as homicide. The cause was attributed to "severe neglect with malnutrition, dehydration, severe body insect infestation(s) and complications."

The independent autopsy noted that McGhee was severely dehydrated, had experienced organ failure prior to his death and that his stomach was "virtually empty."

He was also covered in lice, bed bugs and "innumerable insects" that were found in his head hair, face, facial hair, nose, mouth, chest, pubic area, arms and legs. There were also "multiple insect stages" identified in the body bag McGhee was in.

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The CA has requested a copy of McGhee's official autopsy report, which has not yet been completed.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office, which oversees the jail, called the conditions of McGhee's death "completely unacceptable."

"Immediate action was taken by alerting the [Tennessee Bureau of Investigation] and the [Shelby County] District Attorney's Office upon his hospital transfer," SCSO said in a statement. "Unfortunately, directions concerning his cell cleaning and personal hygiene were disregarded, and crucial information was withheld. Those within the Sheriff's Office who neglected their responsibilities regarding this tragic incident are not reflective of our values. This behavior is intolerable, and we are fully dedicated to preventing such tragedies from happening in the future."

Bonner has long called for a new jail to be built, citing the age and poor infrastructure of 201 Poplar. After pictures of two other cells at 201 Poplar were shared with The CA by Crump, which Crump said showed feces on the walls in one cell and an overflowing toilet in another, SCSO Public Information Officer Lt. Joseph Fox said those conditions are not common, but "do happen in the mental health units."

Fox, in response to a series of questions from The CA, also acknowledged the high number of inmates at 201 Poplar suffering from mental health problems, and said that they should be treated by professionals in a mental health facility, not detained at the jail.

"The jail struggles daily with mentally ill residents, particularly those who refuse medication and/or treatment for medical issues," he said. "Some of them, unfortunately, use their bodily waste to stain their cell walls and floors. Their cells are cleaned daily, and multiple times a day if needed. Many of our mentally ill residents belong in treatment facilities, not this jail."

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected], or (901)208-3922, and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @LucasFinton.

Brooke Muckerman covers Shelby County Government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter @BrookeMuckerman.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Rev. Al Sharpton calls for investigation of Shelby County Jail at funeral