Tensions flared at a Tarrant County meeting on jail deaths, leading to two arrests amid emotional outbursts from the community.

Tarrant County: During the first meeting of the year, things got heated at the Commissioner’s Court. Sheriff Bill Waybourn and other officials were updating everyone on recent jail deaths.
Two people ended up getting arrested for disrupting the meeting. The room was packed with family, friends, and activists who wanted to voice their concerns.
People are really upset about the number of deaths in the county jail over the past year. One man, Darren Yancy, spoke out about his brother Mason, who died in jail last month. He said, “My brother was number 9, that’s 9 too many.”
Yancy was arrested by Grapevine Police for a drug charge and was later booked into the Tarrant County Jail. He was considered a ‘high priority inmate’ due to medical issues but collapsed just days later.
Waybourn mentioned that Yancy received medical attention, but his family believes he didn’t get the care he needed. Darren Yancy said, “He was given lifesaving techniques and he died. Those are contradictory statements.”
Another friend, Stephen Vasquez, shared that Mason called him from jail the night before he died, begging for help. He felt guilty for not bailing him out.
Commissioner Alisa Simmons expressed her condolences and promised to investigate the jail deaths. She questioned Waybourn about Yancy’s case, citing claims that he was denied medication.
Waybourn denied those claims, stating Yancy received regular medical care. The community is demanding a third-party investigation into the deaths.
Since 2017, there have been around 70 deaths in custody at the Tarrant County Jail. Simmons emphasized the need for transparency and accountability.
Some community members are calling for Sheriff Waybourn to resign. Darren Yancy vowed to fight for answers regarding his brother’s death.
Friends of Mason Yancy spoke about his passion for political activism and how he cared deeply about others’ rights. They all agree that changes need to happen to prevent this from happening again.