Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Over Death of O.J. French in Bay Minette

MOBILE, Ala. — A federal civil rights lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Southern Division, in connection with the death of O.J. French. The case involves the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit.

French was fatally shot by Bay Minette police officer Brandon Thompson. The claims in the lawsuit are allegations that have not been proven in court.

Second Federal Suit Involving the Agencies

The lawsuit is the second federal suit involving the Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Unit, and another is pending.

The Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit reviews the actions of officers working for its member agencies. Its members are Bay Minette Police Chief Al Tolbert, the current chairman; Robertsdale Police Chief Brad Kendrick; Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack; Gulf Shores Police Chief Edward Delmore; Daphne Police Chief David Carpenter; and Foley Police Chief Thurston Bullock.

Sheriff Preparing to Leave Office

The lawsuit was filed as Sheriff Mack prepares to leave office. Mack has suggested Anthony Lowery as his replacement.

Victor Case

In a separate case involving the 2017 shooting of Jonathan Victor, Judge William Cassady in April 2021 denied qualified immunity to Sheriff Mack and to Deputy Mark Hunady, who shot Victor four times. The Sheriff’s Office has appealed that ruling. Victor was unarmed and was shot from about 7 yards away. Body camera and dash camera footage of that shooting was made public through federal court filings. The claims in that case have not been decided by a jury.