Marvin David Scott III, 26, died in March 2021 while in custody in Collin County, Texas. He was arrested on March 14 at an outlet mall in Allen for possession of less than two ounces of marijuana after officers observed what they described as strange behavior. Scott, who had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, was taken to a hospital and then transferred to the county jail after release.

At the jail, officers attempted to secure Scott to a restraint bed. During that process he was pepper-sprayed and had a spit hood placed over his head; he became unresponsive while restrained and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Collin County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, citing a fatal acute stress response in an individual with previously diagnosed schizophrenia during a restraint struggle with law enforcement. Seven detention officers were fired and another resigned; one fired officer was later reinstated on appeal. A grand jury in June 2021 declined to indict the eight jailers, finding no probable cause but recommending a workgroup to study how people with mental illness are treated in the criminal justice system.

If anyone was present at the Allen outlet mall on March 14, 2021, or has information about Scott’s detention and transport to Collin County jail, please share what is known.