Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Crime

Ga. Basketball Coaches Charged with Murder in Overheating Death of Teen Athlete

Advertisement

A grand jury has indicted two basketball coaches for their alleged roles in the 2019 death of a Georgia teen who died from heat stroke after taking part in mandatory workout drills, which were held outside in extreme heat.


Imani Bell, 16, collapsed on August 13, 2019, after scaling the steps of a football stadium during her basketball team’s conditioning drills at Elite Scholars Academy in Jonesboro.

On that day, temperatures in the region reached 98 degrees.
Last month, Larosa Maria Walker-Asekere and Dwight Broom Palmer were both charged by a grand jury with second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to children, involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct, confirmed through online records.

Dwight Palmer and Larosa Walker-Asekere
CREDIT: CLAYTON COUNTY POLICE

The defendants’ ages were not released. Bench warrants have been issued for their arrests, but it was unclear Wednesday if they have been taken into custody.

A copy of the indictment obtained reveals that grand jurors determined the two defendants caused “excessive physical pain by conducting outdoor conditioning training for student athletes in dangerous heat,” resulting in Bell’s tragic death.
In February, Bell’s family filed a civil lawsuit against the school district as well as the Elite Scholars Academy coaching staff.

Advertisement

The suit, for wrongful death and pre-death pain and suffering, alleges the coaches “observed Imani experiencing early signs of heat illness during the outdoor practice, but nevertheless directed Imani to continue performing the conditioning drills with her team and directed Imani to run up the stadium steps.” It seeks money damages as well as funeral and burial expenses.
Her death, the suit contends, was a direct result of “strenuous physical exertion in extreme temperatures.”
Bell’s parents are planning to speak to the media on Wednesday.
It is unclear if the two defendants have retained lawyers.

Loading

Advertisement
Click to comment

You May Also Like

Covid-19

Advertisement  Corrine Lund is a nurse who has absolutely had enough of the lies. Lund came forward on “The Stew Peters Show” to reveal...

Crime

Advertisement A woman is very concerned after a bail bondsman from Doc’s Bail Bonds in Denton kicked in her front door without a warrant....

Missing

Advertisement The massive search for Gabby Petito after the Florida woman vanished in September and was later found dead in a Wyoming national park...

Proud Boys

Advertisement Proud Boys move into counter protester’s staging area as clash continues in park near Portland. Proud Boys and antifa clash in Portland area...

Advertisement