Family Of Tulsa County Jail Inmate Questions His Manner Of Death

The family of a man found dead at the Tulsa county jail is speaking out one day after the medical examiner updated his cause of death from pending to homicide. 

The ME's report said Leo Horn died from injuries he sustained years earlier.

Horn spent a year in David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center before he died in June. 

Family members said they find it hard to believe six-year-old injuries caused his death.

Horn's family said four months after his death, they are sad and angry. 

His niece Constance Norman-Horn said when the family saw his body, they immediately thought something was wrong.

"He had bruises all over him," Norman-Horn said. "I worked in the funeral home industry and I know death, and it wasn't right."

Horn had been serving time in the county jail accused of rape.

His family said he was falsely accused.

"There is a cover-up," Norman-Horn said. "I do believe he was killed in the Tulsa County jail."

During a news conference Monday, the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office said the medical examiner determined Horn died from injuries related to a six-year-old assault between Horn and a family member.

As a result of that assault, Horn had been dealing with seizures and had trouble breathing, so he had a tracheotomy.

"My uncle was there for almost a year they have no records of him being sick or anything due to this injury he sustained in 2010," Norman-Horn said. "That was not the cause of his death. I feel there is a conspiracy and cover up."

Representatives said they don't have any record of any assaults against Horn while serving time in the jail. 

TCSO representatives said the medical examiner's report speaks for itself.

The ME attributes his death to a seizure disorder and respiratory failure.

The report goes on to say there were no other signs of bodily injuries or toxicology findings. 

The family said they plan to file a lawsuit against the Tulsa county sheriff's office.

On top of everything else, Horn's family said he was cremated without their permission.

But, the funeral home where he was cremated has a copy of the cremation permit and contract which shows a family member did approve it.