A jury has recommended criminal charges be filed against seven jail staffers in connection with the death of an African-American inmate in the US state of Wisconsin.
Terrill Thomas, 38, died of dehydration in his cell at the Milwaukee County jail on April 24, 2016 after he was denied water for seven days.
The decision by the jury came after six days of testimony in an inquest process, during which witnesses testified and evidence was presented.
“At the end of the day keeping somebody safe, not neglecting them and not ill-treating them, that’s not a very high standard. It’s really not,” Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm said after the jury issued the verdict.
Assistant District Attorney Kurt Bentley also said, “This isn’t the first time this happened. This is a pattern.”
Nancy Evans, who formerly oversaw the jail, Lt. Kashka Meadors, the officer who ordered that water to Thomas’ cell be shut off, the corrections officer who carried out…