Family members of Stanley Wilson Jr., the former Detroit Lions player who mysteriously died after he collapsed at a California mental hospital, believe police brutality played a role in his death.
According to a new report from TMZ, John Carpenter, the attorney representing Wilson Jr.’s family, said photos of the ex-NFL player’s corpse suggest he was a “victim of excessive force.” Wilson Jr. died on February 1 during intake at Metropolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles County. Carpenter alleges abrasions present on Wilson Jr.’s head in the photos appear to show that he was either “kicked,” or “stomped.” Carpenter also said there were marks on his wrist that suggest he was cuffed during the time of the alleged attack. In addition to his other claims, Carpenter alleges he has not received Wilson Jr.’s autopsy report. On March 14 Carpenter filed two claims on behalf of the former cornerback’s mother and father, in addition to a claim on behalf of Wilson Jr.’s estate. The three claims are seeking nearly $45 million in damages.
Dr. D. Pulane Lucas, Wilson Jr.’s mother, also alleged that county officials told her that her son collapsed and fell out of a chair during the intake process at the mental hospital he was to be admitted. Carpenter also questioned the validity of that statement, citing that the photo evidence shows a “stark contrast to what we’ve been hearing.” In the actual court filings, Carpenter alleged that “The County has grossly misrepresented the cause and circumstances of Stanley Wilson Jr.’s death.” During the news conference where Carpenter appeared with members of Wilson Jr.’s family, his mother revealed the 40-year-old was “optimistic,” for his future despite his circumstances at the time.
“We talked about his future,” Lucas started off. “He was optimistic. Even though he was incarcerated, every day he was thinking about how he could change his life around and help somebody else. Even though he may have been struggling with the past.”
Lucas continued, remarking on how Wilson Jr. had been deeply affected by his recent shortcomings and legal troubles as a result of what she described as “CTE,” and struggles with mental illness.
“CTE and mental illness caused him to do some things that brought a lot of shame,” Lucas said during her emotional statement. “And he told me he just had some much shame in where his life had been and where it was and he said the shame was almost unbearable. But, he still believed he could become a role model for those who were experiencing and are experiencing similar situations. And I told him he had a powerful testimony.”
Though He was picked up in the third round of the NFL Draft in 2005 and played three full seasons for the Detroit Lions, Wilson Jr. had reportedly struggled with mental health and legal issues since as early as 2016. Wilson Jr. was initially taken into police custody last August after he was accused of breaking into a Hollywood Hills home, where he reportedly ransacked the owner’s belongings before taking a bath in a fountain outside of the property. After he was declared incompetent to stand trial for his offenses Wilson Jr. was transferred from a county jail facility to the Metropolitan State Hospital.
Watch the full video of the news conference below.