by Nick Beres
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The family suing Metro-Nashville for millions of dollars over the death of their loved one is speaking out for the very first time.
"It's extremely hard. We have to relive it every day," said Heather Minick. Her husband slipped into a coma last year and died after his arrest in Nashville.
Minick said her husband was taken to Metro General Hospital and deputies beat him nearly to death in his room. He died a month later.
"He was not an evil, bad person. He was not a monster they are painting him to be," said Doris Tweed, Minick's mother.
The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. But an internal investigation found the deputies committed no wrongdoing. And a Grand Jury that heard the case did not issue any indictments.
Still the family is now suing Metro in Federal Court arguing that Minick's civil rights were violated and that the deputies used excessive force to restrain him.
The sheriff's department declined comment citing the pending litigation.
