Broward inmate dies a week after altercation with jail staff

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Officials say a mentally ill South Florida man is dead a week after an altercation with jail officers as he awaited trial on criminal mischief and marijuana possession charges.

Broward County Public Defender Gordon Weekes told the Miami Herald that 43-year-old Kevin Lavira Desir’s family removed him from life-support.

Recommended Videos



He died Wednesday.

Desir was arrested by Coral Springs police on Jan. 6 for damaging his neighbor’s car. A week later he was arrested for marijuana possession.

Weekes says jail staff pepper-sprayed Desir, used a stun gun and caused “a severe and irreversible brain injury.”

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony accused the public defender of making “unsubstantiated allegations.”