Cops Dehydrate Mentally Ill Man to Death as He Begged for Water in Solitary Confinement

[Lucille]

What a horrible way to go.

http://thefreethoughtproject.com/men...jPOdytF6Km2.99

Milwaukee, WI — (RT) A mentally ill black man who died in a Milwaukee prison in April suffered from severe dehydration, a medical examiner concluded. Inmates said he was begging for drinking water days before perishing in custody.

Terrill Thomas, 38, was sent to jail after two shooting episodes in which he allegedly was involved on April 14. In one he shot his best friend in the chest after suspecting him of trying to steal Thomas’s car. In another one hours later, Thomas opened fire at Potawatomi Bingo Casino and told everyone to leave. After being arrested, he told investigators there were a lot of snakes in the casino and it looked suspicious.

Thomas suffered from bipolar disorder and, according to his family, had experienced a mental breakdown at the time of his arrest. His mother asked the police to take him into custody, saying her son had become violent and erratic.

On April 27, he was supposed to undergo medical evaluation to determine if he was competent to stand trial for five counts of charges against him. But this didn’t happen because on April 24 he was found dead in his solitary cell.

Thomas’s body showed no injuries, but his “biochemistry testing revealed profound dehydration,” the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office said on Thursday. The death was ruled a homicide.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s office, which runs the jail in which Thomas died, declined to comment on the incident until an investigation is complete. The Milwaukee Police Department is leading the probe to avoid a conflict of interest. It would not comment on the matter either.

Inmates told Thomas’s family that before dying he had begged for drinking water, the family told WISN, a local ABC-affiliated television station.
[...]
His water tap was reportedly shut off because he had previously flooded his cell, Marcus Berry, an inmate, told the Journal Sentinel newspaper.

“I could tell he was getting weaker,” Berry said. “One day he just lay down, dehydrated and hungry.”

TJ Thomas, the deceased man’s father, is devastated by the loss and said the family is talking to a lawyer.

“I’m saying he shouldn’t have ever been there in the first place. He should have been out at the mental complex getting treatment,” he told the station.

A similar incident happened at the Milwaukee County Jail in 2011, when Antonio Cowser, 49, was found unresponsive in his cell. He had been arrested for driving while intoxicated and reportedly refused to eat.

The treatment of mentally ill inmates at US prisons has been criticized by families and human rights activists in a number of states.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/i...days/89960362/

The homicide ruling does not necessarily mean a crime was committed or that the district attorney's office will press criminal charges against any County Jail employees.[...] Should the case be criminally prosecuted, the district attorney's office would need to prove an intent to kill or a reckless disregard for life.

Really? Well, since he had no way to get water on his own, and his pleas for water were ignored by everyone working at the jail which would constitute a reckless disregard for life, I'd say a crime was committed.

One of the inmates, Marcus Berry, said he repeatedly urged corrections officers to give Thomas water the day before he died. Berry was in a cell across from Thomas the last six days of Thomas' life.
[...]
Before going to bed that night, Berry said he told a corrections officer: "If something happens to that man, it's your fault."

Soulless bastards.

A 2014 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation found 10 people died in custody of the Sheriff's Office during a four-year period. One woman complained of chest pains but didn't get proper medical care, one man's water had been shut off and one man committed suicide after not receiving his prescribed anti-depressants. None of those deaths resulted in charges against personnel; only two resulted in officers being disciplined.

But of course.

[presence]

But of course.

...the familiar ritual of institutional self-absolution...
...for protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment...

[CCTelander]

Not Intentionally Malevolent?

Heroes.

[SeanTX]

Isn't the sheriff in charge of this jail the one who is a darling of the conservatives (Sheriff Clarke) ?

One of the "good ones" ?

[CCTelander]

Isn't the sheriff in charge of this jail the one who is a darling of the conservatives (Sheriff Clarke) ?

One of the "good ones" ?

There are no "good ones."

[SeanTX]

There are no "good ones."

Yes, I know, that's why I put it in quotation marks.

However, conservatives like Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, etc have Sheriff Clark on their shows all the time, so he can whine about the "bad rap" law enforcement is getting.

I'm sure he has nothing to say about this incident (and he won't be asked).

[Lucille]

Isn't the sheriff in charge of this jail the one who is a darling of the conservatives (Sheriff Clarke) ?

One of the "good ones" ?

Why yes, it is! Great catch, and thanks!

[Suzanimal]

It's torture and murder. Wtf is wrong with these psychos?

[SeanTX]

Why yes, it is! Great catch, and thanks!

You're welcome .

I heard him a few months back on Hannity's radio show saying he would never tolerate his deputies being rude or abusive to the "citizens they serve" -- I wonder what he will do about this ?

Conservative/Bubba types like to joke about how "dindus" love to burn down their own neighborhoods sometimes because of things like this, well, what else can you do to get their attention?

It's either that or some more 'direct' action -- nothing else will ever get their attention -- no justice can ever be found in THEIR courts (outside of a lawsuit payout that the taxpayers provide for).

[CCTelander]

It's torture and murder. Wtf is wrong with these psychos?

Take a bit of this:

http://www.prisonexp.org/

Add low-intelligence, 'roid-ragin' sociopaths that were hired for exactly those traits.

Toss in a dash or two of "War on Cops" propaganda.

Mix vigorously.

And, Voila!

[SeanTX]

You had better not tell Sheriff Clarke what you think of him on a plane, or you will get arrested.

I suspect in this case "disruptive behavior" means daring to speak out loud what you think of a tin-badged god.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...ight/91061628/

Man arrested after berating Sheriff Clarke on flight
Daniel Bice, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 10:01 p.m. CDT September 24, 2016



A Milwaukee man was arrested and charged with intoxication and disruptive behavior on Saturday after berating Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. throughout a two-hour flight from Milwaukee to Charlotte, N.C.

Keith Trietley, a spokesman for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, confirmed that Preston Bluntson, 36, was arrested and booked by police at around 7:10 p.m. Eastern time. He was being held late Saturday in the Mecklenburg County Jail. Trietley said a police report on the incident was not yet available.

But a passenger on the American Airlines flight, who asked not to be named, said Bluntson talked throughout the plane ride, becoming increasingly loud and obnoxious and directing many of his comments at Clarke, who was on the back of the small plane.
The plane, which left Milwaukee around 4:10 p.m., had about 12 rows on it.

“The guy was very abusive,” the passenger said. "Probably the last 20 minutes it really escalated and focused on Clarke."

According to the passenger, Bluntson, who is African-American, repeatedly used a racial epithet, accused Clarke of “closing our parks” and said the sheriff is “not one of us.”

When the plane landed, Clarke held Bluntson down, and a Charlotte police officer then came on board and handcuffed the Milwaukee man, according to the passenger. Three or four other officers then met Bluntson when he left the plane, and Clarke filled out paperwork on the incident.

snip

[phill4paul]

4/24/17

A mentally ill man who last year died of severe dehydration in a jail run by Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke was kept in his cell for seven days straight after jail employees cut off his water supply, a prosecutor in Wisconsin said Monday.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that prosecutors told a six-person jury on Monday that cutting off water to Terrill Thomas’ cell was “highly irregular and contrary to standard operating procedure in the jail.” The comments came as part of an inquest into Thomas’ death, in which the jury decides whether there’s probable cause to charge anyone with a crime in Thomas’ death.

Assistant District Attorney Kurt Benkley told jurors that it “became apparent” that Thomas “was unable to tell people about his basic needs,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The jury is considering whether there is probable cause to charge any jail officials with abuse of a prisoner.

In a court filing last month, the district attorney argued that abusing, neglecting, or ill-treating a prisoner is a public welfare offense.

“Inmates are at the mercy of their jailors for basic life-sustaining necessities like water, food, and medical care,” the district attorney wrote in a court filing. “When a mentally ill inmate, like Mr. Thomas, is locked in solitary confinement without access to water, his life is totally in his jailors’ hands. The law much strictly require jailors to safeguard lives which are so completely entrusted to their care. Stupidity, thoughtlessness, indifference, and incompetence are not morally sufficient excuses nor valid legal defenses.” ( This last is well said. <applause> p4p)

Thomas’ death was included in The Huffington Post’s investigative project examining jail deaths across the United States in the year after the high-profile death of Sandra Bland in police custody in 2015.

Clarke, a high-profile supporter of President Donald Trump who makes frequent appearances on conservative news outlets, appears to take a hands-off approach to managing the jail he’s charged with running and has deflected blame for the deaths that occurred on his watch. The Justice Department had been considering launching a civil rights investigation into the conditions at the Milwaukee County Jail, but the status of that potential investigation is unclear.

Erik J. Heipt, an attorney for Thomas’ family, noted that Monday was the one-year anniversary of his “senseless” death.

“He was a pretrial detainee in a mental health crisis. Instead of providing him with desperately needed treatment, the Milwaukee County Jail disciplined Terrill by locking him in an isolation cell, giving him inedible ‘nutraloaf’ to eat, and shutting off his drinking water supply for seven days—causing him to suffer and die from profound dehydration. Nothing like this should ever happen in an American jail,” he said.

“I am pleased that the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office taking this atrocity seriously and hope that the inquest is the first step toward justice for Terrill and his family,” he added.

[sparebulb]

In B4 the jury acquits and smother the kops with sloppies.

[phill4paul]

And I'm just gonna say...why the hell the family has not demanded the Federal Department of Justice to charge those involved under TITLE 18, U.S.C., SECTION 242 I'll not understand. That is the angle they should attack by. Start a viral campaign explaining TITLE 18, U.S.C., SECTION 242 and it's value in dealing with bad cops. Get the Dems riled up about protecting rights against "color of law" crimes and I'll even throw in with them.

[Suzanimal]

Not Intentionally Malevolent?

Heroes.

...

[oyarde]

I do not think this guy really shot at the Indian casino . He was a patsy . The people responsible for with holding water should be charged with his death .

[Origanalist]

It's torture and murder. Wtf is wrong with these psychos?

[SeanTX]

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/...s&utm_medium=1

Felony charges recommended in Milwaukee inmate's death by dehydration
By Mike Bambach | May 2, 2017 at 3:07 AM

May 2 (UPI) -- An inquest jury recommended Monday that prosecutors file felony charges against seven Milwaukee County jail employees in the dehydration death of inmate Terrill Thomas.

Thomas, a 38-year-old with bipolar disorder, was deprived of water and a mattress during seven consecutive days, authorities said.

Thomas was found dead in his cell on April 24, and the cause of death was ruled "profound dehydration" and classified a homicide.

The inquest jury found probable cause to charge the seven staff members, including two supervisors, with felony abuse in Thomas' death.

snip

Because the inquest jury's decision is advisory, District Attorney John Chisholm is not bound to file criminal charges.

[Occam's Banana]

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/...s&utm_medium=1

The inquest jury found probable cause to charge the seven staff members, including two supervisors, with felony abuse in Thomas' death.

[...]

Because the inquest jury's decision is advisory, District Attorney John Chisholm is not bound to file criminal charges.

"Felony abuse," hey? Is that it? If any of us mundanes locked a man up in a cage and withheld water from him until he died, there certainly wouldn't be even the slightest question about whether criminal charges would be filed. And I suspect the (multiple) charges we'd be facing would be a tad more stern than "felony abuse."

SMGDH. Even when the system can bring itself to "advisorily" suggest that something might perhaps be done about this sort of thing, it still reeks of special privilege ...

[TheTexan]

Fetch a glass of water? He's an Officer... not a waitress

[Suzanimal]

"Felony abuse," hey? Is that it? If any of us mundanes locked a man up in a cage and withheld water from him until he died, there certainly wouldn't be even the slightest question about whether criminal charges would be filed. And I suspect the (multiple) charges we'd be facing would be a tad more stern than "felony abuse."

SMGDH. Even when the system can bring itself to "advisorily" suggest that something might perhaps be done about this sort of thing, it still reeks of special privilege ...

Blue Privilege

[Jamesiv1]

Anybody that thinks its wrong to insist that criminals show respect for law and order can get the hell out.

[TheTexan]

There was no way for the Officer to know, that the inmate wasnt just pretending to be dehydrated to trick him into giving some water.

Very unfortunate, but he did it to himself

[TheTexan]

"Felony abuse," hey? Is that it? If any of us mundanes locked a man up in a cage and withheld water from him until he died, there certainly wouldn't be even the slightest question about whether criminal charges would be filed. And I suspect the (multiple) charges we'd be facing would be a tad more stern than "felony abuse."

SMGDH. Even when the system can bring itself to "advisorily" suggest that something might perhaps be done about this sort of thing, it still reeks of special privilege ...

Sure, but given how many criminals and prisoners are locked up every day, its unreasonable to expect that none of them will be accidentally withheld water for days at a time.

These things happen, we have to let them do their job

[SeanTX]

A good update on a case, for a change. Of course it remains to be seen if justice will be served :

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/...ail/329574002/

Former commander, 2 staffers charged in dehydration death of Terrill Thomas in Milwaukee County Jail
Ashley Luthern and John Diedrich, Milwaukee Published 11:33 a.m. CT Feb. 12, 2018


The former commander of the Milwaukee County Jail along with two other jail staffers were charged Monday in connection with the dehydration death of Terrill Thomas, with the complaint saying guards "abandoned" him to die.

Milwaukee County Sheriff's Major Nancy Evans, 48, is charged with felony misconduct in office and obstructing an officer. Jail Lt. Kashka Meadors, 40, and correctional officer James Ramsey-Guy, 38, are each charged with neglecting an inmate, a felony offense.

Meadors gave the order to shut off the water, Ramsey-Guy physically cut all water to Thomas' cell, and Evans lied about the subsequent investigation, the complaint says.

Evans, Meadors and Ramsey-Guy were suspended with pay Monday and Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt said discipline would be handed down Friday. Prior to Monday all three were on administrative duty and did not have contact with jail inmates, Schmidt said.

The defendants appeared in court Monday. They were not in custody and remained free on signature bonds. They are due back in court March 2 for a preliminary hearing.

Thomas, a 38-year-old inmate with bipolar disorder, went seven days without water in solitary confinement before his death. He lost 34 pounds in his eight days in the jail.

snip

Last year, an inquest jury recommended charges against those three jail staffers, along with four others. District Attorney John Chisholm said he does not expect the other four to be charged.

"We're focusing on the individuals that we think are most responsible," Chisholm said.

He said his office is still investigating the role of medical provider Armor Correctional Health Services in the dehydration death.

The practice of cutting off water to an inmate is against the jail's written regulations, the complaint says, but Ramsey-Guy said it was common practice. Within three weeks of Thomas' death, water was cut to two other inmates' cells, according to the complaint.


snip

[Occam's Banana]

The practice of cutting off water to an inmate is against the jail's written regulations [...] Within three weeks of Thomas' death, water was cut to two other inmates' cells [...]

NOT INTENTIONALLY MALEVOLENT