Inmate Found Dead at Leon County Jail

Texas Rangers are investigating the death of a Leon County Jail inmate, John French, 37, of Normangee.

At approximately 12:50 a.m. on February 21, 2012 Leon County Jail employees conducting hourly checks of inmates, found French, hanging in a single inmate cell.  He was found with a bed sheet knotted around his neck with the other end tied to the cell’s shower head.

French was arrested on May 25, 2011 on a charge of Assault with Bodily Injury-Family Violence, a charge of Motion to Revoke Probation Assault with Bodily Injury-Family Violence and a charge of Criminal Non Support.  He had remained in custody since his arrest on May 25, 2011. 

French was sentenced on February 10, 2012 to 18 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division on a second degree felony charge of Continuous Family Violence (Enhanced).  He was awaiting transfer to prison. 

French was pronounced dead by Leon County Justice of the Peace Jack Keeling.  Autopsy results are pending at this time.

Comments from Sheriff Jerry Wakefield, Feb. 22, 2012

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