Alabama sheriff asks FBI to investigate hanging death of black man

The FBI is investigating the case of a black man found hanging in an abandoned house in Alabama.

Agents found the body of Denoriss Richardson, 39, in September in a rural part of the Deep South state with a history of lynchings.

The Colbert County Sheriff’s Office initially ruled the man’s death a suicide. But the case has sparked widespread skepticism from community members and Richardson’s wife, Leigh, who says she believes her husband’s death is the result of a lawsuit he filed against local police in February.

While in jail, the man claims he was attacked, denied medical attention, sprayed with tear gas and shocked with a Taser. according to ABC news.

Furthermore, her husband had no connection to the house where he was found and no suicide note was ever discovered.

Sheriff Eric Balentine told the newspaper he is confident in the findings, but believes a federal investigation would give the family more peace of mind.

He said the department has “exhausted all resources” in its investigation into the case.

The independent has contacted the sheriff’s office for more information. In a written statement, the FBI said it “is aware of the tragic death of Denoriss Richardson and takes seriously allegations of violations of federal law. The FBI evaluates allegations of criminal conduct on its merits and conducts further investigations if there is evidence of a possible violation of federal law.”

Richardson’s wife described her late husband as a “warm” father to their five children. In the months after the lawsuit was filed, she said police in the area routinely stopped her husband and that he had tried to stay out of the way.

Her husband went so far as to report the officers’ behavior to the mayor of Sheffield’s office. Mayor Steve Stanley said he told Richardson that all officers reported through official channels would be investigated.

Richardson was charged with trafficking meth the week he filed his lawsuit against the department. Police arrested him at a house where drugs were found. He was out on bond when he died.

“I have preached and believe that at least the majority of officers recognize that everyone deserves respect,” the mayor told the newspaper.

At least 11 people were lynched in Colbert County between 1877 and 1943, according to the Equal Justice Initiative.