Commissioners approve outside counsel for defense in Anthony Johnson Sr. suit; family and community protest

Tarrant County Commissioners Court on April 2 approved an employment agreement with the law office of Mark Goldstucker to provide defense counsel for former Tarrant County employee Jaquavia Simmons in litigation brought by the family of Anthony Johnson Jr.

The court approved the item (agenda item F‑1) by a 3–2 vote after a public comment period marked by emotional testimony from family members and community advocates who objected to using county funds for the defense.

Speakers opposing the contract described the continuing pain of families who lost loved ones in county custody and said taxpayer money should not fund the defense of employees who have been fired or criminally charged. “Taxpayers did not murder Anthony Johnson Jr. If this request goes forward, it means you are asking the Johnson family — who are taxpayers in this county — to help pay for the defense of persons responsible for their loved one’s death,” said one public commenter who identified himself as calling for the motion to be denied.

Anthony Johnson Sr., the victim’s father, addressed the court and described the death of his son and the family’s desire for accountability. “I do hope that you people do the right thing,” Johnson said at the podium.

Supporters of approving outside counsel argued the county is following its employee defense policy and that the matter requires legal representation to protect the county’s interests in litigation. The agreement presented to the court authorizes retention of outside counsel for the defense; the agenda description named the law office of Mark Goldstucker as the proposed firm.

Court action: The agreement was approved by a 3–2 vote. The record does not show a detailed dollar amount for the agreement in the agenda summary provided at the hearing; the motion on the floor authorized the county to enter the employment agreement as presented.

Public reaction: Dozens of speakers addressed the court during the item and surrounding agenda sections, characterizing the decision as a misuse of taxpayer funds and urging the court to prioritize accountability and transparency in jail operations and oversight. Some speakers connected this item to other public concerns about in‑custody deaths and called for external investigations and changes to sheriff’s office practices.

What the county said: The court’s consent to retain outside counsel follows standard practice in some high‑profile cases to ensure the county’s defense is coordinated and managed by legal counsel experienced in complex civil litigation. Commissioners did not adopt additional limitations or public reporting requirements on the outside counsel contract at the time of approval.

Votes at a glance: The court approved the attorney employment agreement by a 3–2 vote. The agenda item was listed as F‑1.

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