Two inmates at the Muscogee County Jail died within the last week, and Sheriff Greg Countryman held a news conference Wednesday “for transparency.”

On July 7, Kearis Hollingsworth died after being transferred to Piedmont Regional hospital six days before, according to WRBL. On Tuesday, Robert James died in his cell, according to the station.

“On July 7 of this year this month, Kearis Hollingsworth, an inmate at the Muscogee County Jail, was seen by our nursing professionals at the county jail regarding chest pains,” Countryman said. “Hollingsworth was seen by the nurse staff where he was examined and X-rayed.”

“It was later determined that he needed to go to the hospital. He was transported to Piedmont hospital in Columbus, Georgia. They admitted inmate Hollingsworth, and he was in the hospital for six days. He later expired after six days of being in the hospital.” No age was provided for Hollingsworth.

Countryman said there was no foul play in James’ death.

“The deputies in the county jail had previously done a safety check, and as they were outside of the cell the inmates was banging on the window advising them to come in after they had just exited from a cell shortly before. They came in and they found [Robert James], a 75-year-old Black male, laying on the floor there. His cellmate also witnessed what happened and so all of this happened within a matter of minutes.”

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