By Alabama Public Radio
Pritchard AL – Authorities in Prichard are investigating the death of a 17-year-old from Mississippi who died early yesterday while in police custody. Prichard Police Chief Lawrence Battiste says Joseph Evans was arrested for an assault at a local residence, where he was unruly and struggled with officers. The teen collapsed and was taken to University of South Alabama Medical Center where he died. Chief Battiste says his department had responded to four previous calls at that address to investigate reports of domestic violence involving Evans and others. He says officers followed correct police procedures. An autopsy and toxicology tests are being conducted to determine the exact cause of death.