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Family of Marshall Middle School student says he looked 'perfectly fine' after seeing new video from HISD

On Wednesday, HISD shared new video with the Payton Family. Their attorney said that the video still doesn't tell a clear story of what happened the day Landon died.

HOUSTON — A father is still fighting for answers one week after his son, Landon Payton, 14, died after suffering a medical emergency at Marshall Middle School. 

On Wednesday, HISD shared new video with the Payton family. Their attorney said that the video still doesn't tell a clear story of what happened the day Landon died.

The family met with district leaders again for about two hours. While they are grateful to be able to see some of the video showing Landon, it still doesn't answer an important question about what happened to their son.

The search for answers hasn’t been easy, but standing together, this family remains focused.

“The outpouring of love that the community has given them has been uplifting to them to see there every day,” said family attorney, Chris Tritico.

KHOU 11 News was there as the family and attorney made a second trip to HISD headquarters to review additional surveillance video from last Wednesday.

“They did get to see some good video of him in the gym, in the hallways and in the cafeteria. It didn't give the closure that the family was looking for," Tritico said.

Last week, Landon‘s father Alexis Payton watched HISD police bodycam footage of his son’s final moments.

He said that the video didn’t provide any answers either.

“So, I'm glad that HSD invited them over to see this video. Just, unfortunately, didn't give enough answers." Tritico said.

Tritico, with the Payton Family standing beside him, said in this latest video there was nothing to indicate the tragedy to come.

“Perfectly fine. Perfectly fine and that's why it's so painful," he said.

So now, there are no answers from the district.

“We sent them a letter that requested under Texas law to preserve all the evidence. And until we get the autopsy and the result of that there's not much we can do," Tritico said.

RELATED: Death of HISD middle school student raises questions about medical training, equipment on campus

HISD confirmed 170 automated heart defibrillators across district campuses weren't working ahead of the school year.

"I know the AED didn't work. That's not the issue. The issue is what the failure of the AED device would it have saved his life if it had been working. That's what we don't know," Tritico said.

The attorney said the district still hasn't told the Payton family if anyone even attempted to use an AED on Landon last week.

HISD hasn't responded to questions on whether school staff attempted to perform CPR and/or use a defibrillator at any point during Landon's medical emergency.

On Saturday, HISD released more info on the circumstances surrounding Landon's death, including that the nurse who provided medical assistance to the student had 30 years of experience.

RELATED: HISD provides new details on sudden death of 14-year-old Marshall Middle School student

"Every nurse in history keeps a history of what they do to check to monitor their and devices. Where is that? Where's that logbook? These are the things that we want to know," Tritico said.

According to the Texas Education Code, a school district must make available to employees instruction in the principles and techniques of CPR and the use of an AED.

Each school nurse and P.E. instructor must participate and must receive and maintain certification.

Tritico said even if the staff was certified, equipment not working is concerning.

"Causing parents to go in and and question, does this work? if my child has a problem, is it going to work?" he said.

The family is holding a private funeral service for Landon this Saturday.

On Thursday, we received questions about a possible conflict of interest involving the attorney for Landon Payton's family, Chris Tritico. According to the Houston Federation of Teachers, Tritico has represented the union in the past, however the union says he's not representing any of their members in this matter.  

Tritico released a statement on Thursday that reads, in part, "There is no conflict in my taking the Payton case. The Patyon's were made aware of my work for the HFT before they hired me and they waived any potential conflict that existed... As I said there is no conflict."

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