Activist Arrested at Birmingham City Hall Following Comments on Recent Jail Deaths

By Emily Cundiff | ABC 33/40

Activist Eric Hall was escorted from Birmingham City Hall in handcuffs Tuesday after confronting city leaders over two recent deaths at the Birmingham City Jail during a City Council meeting.

During public comment, speakers criticized city officials and raised concerns about conditions inside the jail following the deaths of two inmates who died days apart while in custody.

“I’m gravely disappointed in what’s taking place in our city,” Hall told council members. “Particularly within the City Jail. All of you know that the City Jail is horrible.”

Another speaker, who identified himself as a system-impacted person, questioned how advocates can address what he described as a lack of health advocacy for people in custody.

City officials say both deaths remain under active investigation.

According to a statement from Deputy Chief of Public Safety Carlton Peeples, jail personnel discovered an unresponsive inmate on June 11 during a welfare check following an apparent self-harm incident. Staff immediately began life-saving measures and requested emergency medical assistance, but the man was pronounced dead.

The inmate, identified by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office as 32-year-old Patrick Croskey, had been booked into the jail on April 21 on charges including disorderly conduct, public intoxication, criminal mischief and two counts of third-degree assault. He had been housed at the facility for approximately 51 days.

A second death occurred June 14. According to the city, jail staff discovered 35-year-old Kendall Sweazer during an apparent self-harm attempt around 10 a.m. Birmingham Fire and Rescue transported him to UAB Hospital for evaluation. After being evaluated and released by hospital staff, Sweazer was returned to the jail and placed on suicide watch.

Officials said jail personnel conducted regular welfare checks while Sweazer was on suicide watch. At approximately 1:07 p.m., he was found unresponsive inside a cell. Staff initiated life-saving measures before he was transported to UAB Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Sweazer had been booked into the jail on June 13 on a disorderly conduct charge and had been housed there for approximately one day before his death, according to the city.

In its statement, the city said a preliminary review indicates jail personnel responded in accordance with established protocols. The Birmingham Police Department is investigating both deaths in coordination with the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, which will determine the official cause and manner of death in each case.

Hall accused city leaders of failing to address longstanding issues at the jail.

“The Birmingham City Jail is a warehouse for humans where inhuman conditions and neglect from staff has caused the unnecessary deaths of too many people under this administration and under your watch,” Hall said.

After public comment ended, Hall left the council chamber and walked toward Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office, demanding to speak directly with the mayor.

Police officers intervened and escorted Hall out of City Hall in handcuffs before placing him in a police vehicle outside the building.