The death of jail inmate Andre Maiden in the Iroquois County Jail has family and friends wanting answers. And they say the lack of answers is raising more issues.

Protesters – dozens of them – gathered outside the Iroquois County Jail and Courthouse (Tuesday), chanting and barking at police personnel, demanding answers as to what happened with Andre Maiden and Jason Fancher.
Maiden’s brother, Myles, spoke about what the rally was all about, qestiong why his brother was denied medical attention when he asked for an ambulance when feeling ill ?

Iroquois County sheriff deputies told the protesters the matter is under investigation by Illinois State Police. Autopsies on both inmates ruled out physical injuries and found nothing conclusive leading to any sudden death. Now, there’s a wait for toxicology reports. Family members say the deaths were neglect by jail personnel. The protests continued for 3 and a-half hours. Sheriff Derek Hagen tried to tell angry protesters his department is waiting for the ISP to wrap up the investigation.

Tensions continued to escalate. Protesters shouted “Black Lives Matter.” And Andre Maiden’s life mattered.

The protesters peacefully left the county property, saying they’d be back if they don’t get their answers. But before leaving town, may of the protesters gathered again downtown Watseka, blocking traffic along Route 24 (2nd & Walnut Street), chanting again. City and County law enforcement were forced to detour traffic. No damage was reported and no one was injured.

94.1 WGFA