MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. — A grand jury in Monroe County has indicted several members of the sheriff’s department and two nursing staff in connection with the death of Elijah Isbill, who died while in custody in February. The case has drawn significant scrutiny after an investigation led by District Attorney Stephen Hatchett.
Initially, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center classified Isbill’s death as accidental, attributing it to pre-existing health conditions. However, a recent update from the forensic center reclassified the case as a homicide, prompting renewed legal action.
The grand jury announced its indictments Wednesday, charging five current and former members of the sheriff’s office—Joshua Duncan, Tommy Reagan, Tyler Finger, Elijah Spencer, and Jerron Henry—with official misconduct. Additionally, Courtney Woods and Greg Mills, both contracted nurses at the jail, received indictments for criminally negligent homicide and filing a false report, respectively.
Following the updated autopsy report, Sheriff Tommy Jones stated that his office acted in accordance with the original investigation’s findings. He noted that his office took further action, placing five additional staff members on paid suspension after the homicide ruling. This decision came after prior suspensions, firings, and resignations among jail staff involved in the case.
“Upon the tragic incident’s occurrence, the sheriff’s office acted swiftly, relying on findings from two separate investigations conducted by the district attorney’s office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation,” Jones said in a public statement. He emphasized that, as of now, all individuals directly involved have either been terminated, suspended, or resigned.
Other jail personnel linked to the incident, including Joshua Brown, Anthony Byrd, and Michael Longmire, have yet to face formal charges. Sheriff Jones confirmed they have also been put on paid leave amid ongoing investigations.
The developments surrounding Isbill’s death continue to be a focal point in the community as residents seek accountability for the actions of law enforcement and medical staff. The investigation remains active, and further disclosures are anticipated as legal proceedings unfold.
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