Texas: Newly surfaced bodycam footage sheds light on the tragic final moments of Kenneth Knotts, a Texas man who died in police custody at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Knotts, who was taken for a mental health evaluation following a traffic stop, appeared to be experiencing a mental breakdown upon arrival at the hospital and reportedly refused to comply with police instructions.
According to an incident report, Knotts exhibited erratic behavior, was combative, and began spitting when approached by police after his tire blew out on the freeway. Subsequent attempts to restrain Knotts resulted in a struggle, during which he was placed on his stomach.
Tragically, Knotts ceased breathing during the altercation, prompting immediate medical attention. Despite efforts to revive him, Knotts was pronounced dead at the scene. A medical examiner’s report allegedly attributed Knotts’ death to cardiac arrest induced by being placed in a “semi-prone position,” classified as a homicide.
The release of the bodycam footage has reignited discussions surrounding police use of force and the handling of mental health crises by law enforcement agencies. In November, a Dallas County grand jury chose not to indict any individuals involved in Knotts’ death, raising questions about accountability and justice in cases involving fatalities in police custody.
