HOUSTON -- Newly released documents provide new details about an inmate's death in the Harris County jail, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

Months after his death, what happened to Clarence Freeman, 42, still stirs up a firestorm of controversy.

The in-custody death of Freeman outraged community activist Quanell X and Freeman's widow. They talked about it during a protest on April 27.

"He said, 'This little kid just got shot and I'm going to tell police what happened,'" the widow said.

Freeman was in jail for writing a bad check, but was expected to testify in a murder trial that was scheduled to start next week. He said that he witnessed a murder outside a northeast Houston convenience store two years ago.

He died after a struggle with a Harris County detention officer.

Freeman's written statement said he asked for a tray of food. But the officer said Freeman was becoming loud and disruptive. The officer was moving Freeman to a separate holding cell, but Freeman said he did not want to go.

In his words, "On the way to lockup, the officer put his hands around my neck to throw me to the ground. I had my hands out. I never resisted. The officer choked me to almost unconsciousness. I never resisted."

But detention officer Nathan Hartfield said Freeman started causing problems on the way to the holding cell. The officer attempted to handcuff Freeman.

The officer said, "I then grabbed inmate Freeman by the back of his jumpsuit in an attempt to turn him and secure him against the wall. As I grabbed him, inmate Freeman struck me on the right side of my face with his left elbow in his attempt to resist. I then, for my safety, secured my left arm under his neck until his aggression and fighting was no longer a threat. Inmate Freeman fell to the floor as I still had a hold of him."

All of this, the officer said, took about 45 seconds. Freeman was handcuffed. The officer took Freeman to the jail clinic after noticing Freeman was having breathing problems and blood on his lips.

Freeman was later taken to the hospital where he died.

"The internal affairs division retains their case. It has not been submitted to the sheriff for review. There are still administrative issues being addressed," said Harris County Deputy David Crain.

The criminal investigation is complete in the case. The sheriff's department forwarded its report to the district attorney's office. The case could go before a grand jury to consider criminal charges.