John Laughon
Ginger Laughon
10/17/2006 11pm report
By Lindy Thackston
First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- First Coast News is looking into why the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is trying to keep a First Coast mother from talking.
Ginger Laughon claims her son was beaten into a vegetative state while in the custody of correctional officers in February 2005.
Now, JSO and the City are asking for a gag order, arguing they may not get a fair trial.
Pictures family members say they took of John Laughon in the hospital after a struggle with officers show the 37-year-old with several bruises.
The family attorney told First Coast News that Laughon had broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and bleeding in the brain and chest cavity.
Laughon was serving a six month sentence on drug charges.
His mom says he is now in a persistent vegetative state that could last his lifetime.
Laughon is now on a hospital bed at his mother's house.
"I don't know if he's going to be better," Ginger Laughon told First Coast News earlier this year. "They've really taken his whole life away from him. He can't do anything."
She claims her son was assaulted by officers.
Documents from Shands Hospital show the Emergency Room doctor checked the box for "assault."
Last year, JSO made a statement, saying Laughon left the jail with minor injuries.
"There were no outward signs of visible injuries requiring medical attention, but he was transported to Shands because of his mental health condition," said JSO Chief Steve Weintraub in February 2005.
Since that time, Ginger Laughon and her attorney, Sean Cronin, have been outspoken.
First Coast News has obtained a motion, filed on behalf of JSO and the City of Jacksonville, requesting a gag order on Ginger Laughon and Sean Cronin.
The motion claims "the fairness of the trial is seriously threatened."
Howard Maltz represents the City and JSO.
Maltz would not comment on the motion on camera, saying it defeats the purpose of filing a motion for a gag order.
Maltz did say on the phone that "it's inappropriate for certain lawyers to be trying a case in the media."
Maltz would not elaborate.
NOTES: What is JSO trying to hide? They know if their officers and guards start feeling the heat someone will come forward!
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