A Coalition for Change in Shasta County.
Support and Advocacy
Justice for John Adena is a coalition of community members who want to show support for the Adena family by advocating for change in Shasta County’s mental health and criminal justice system.
John’s Story
On August 21, 2019 John Adena was arrested following a mental health incident. While in custody on September 22, 2019 John died under suspicious circumstances at the Shasta County Jail.
Civil rights law firm Haddad & Sherwin LLP announced on April 29th 2021 that it has filed a federal civil rights wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the parents of John Adena against Shasta County.
According to Haddad & Sherwin LLP, John was beaten and brutalized by Shasta County deputies to the point of killing him. The County then covered it up for over a year, refusing to tell John’s family why he died or even to give them the autopsy report and photos to which they are legally entitled.
Family attorney, Michael Haddad, says: “John Adena’s battered body bears witness to the unreported violence he suffered at the hands of Shasta County deputies.”
John’s family hopes that no one else in our community will ever have to go through the grief and injustice of losing a loved one the way we did. Those going through a mental health crisis should receive medical care instead of going to jail. The sheriff’s department that runs the Shasta County Jail should also be better trained in how to interact with those who are mentally ill and avoid using the excessive force that led to John’s death.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."
Help Us Break The Stigma of Mental Illness.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.
“John being in jail was supposed to be his rock bottom, not the end of his life. We as a community need to say ‘that’s not acceptable.’”
— Michelle Gallagher, John Adena’s Sister
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
justiceforjohn@gmail.com