The Nation - News from Feb. 10, 1988
The death in Hemphill, Tex., of a black truck driver who witnesses say was beaten by police after his arrest and left overnight in a jail cell was ruled homicide at an inquest. The 34-year-old Florien, La., man, Loyal Garner Jr., suffered severe brain hemorrhaging after he apparently was struck in the head at least twice, a pathologist testified. Garner died Dec. 27, two days after he was arrested for investigation of driving while intoxicated in the eastern Texas town. The inquest jury of four whites and two blacks deliberated less than a half-hour before bringing their finding. Hemphill Police Chief Thomas Ladner, 40, Sabine County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Horton, 58, and Deputy James Hyden, 34, already face state charges of violating Garner’s civil rights.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
