Cherokee County inmate found hanging in cell

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in after an inmate was found hanging from a bed sheet in his cell Monday, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said.

A deputy was conducting cell checks when inmate Richard James Sheriff, 61, of Canton was discovered, Lt. Jay Baker with the sheriff’s office said in a news release. The deputy removed the sheet and tried to assist Sheriff, who was later pronounced dead at Northside Hospital-Cherokee.

No other inmates were in the cell during the incident, Baker said.

The GBI investigates all deaths of people in custody.

Sheriff was charged with aggravated assault for allegedly stabbing a Canton man Jan. 2.

About the Author

Breaking News Staff

To TAD or not to TAD: Council considers Dickens’ $5 billion development plan

TRAFFIC UPDATE

5-vehicle crash causes injuries on I-20 East in Fulton County

Chilly temps linger Tuesday in metro Atlanta before midweek warmup

Featured

Credit: NYT

DeKalb school district reveals $4M social media addiction problem

The district is suing social media companies to get them to pay for addressing students' addiction to apps like Instagram. The companies argue they aren't to blame.

Atlanta airport sees continued cancellations because of shutdown

More than 115 flight cancellations were recorded on a quieter frigid Tuesday morning, far below Saturday's surge of 370.

For Ossoff and Georgia Democrats, the shutdown fight is the message

The fight over the federal government shutdown has allowed Georgia Democrats, like U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, to show that they have the grit to stand up to Republicans.