A grand jury recommended Tuesday that criminal charges be filed in the death of inmate Terill Thomas, saying jail staff members caused his death by shutting off the water in his cell for seven days.
Thirty-eight-year-old Thomas died of dehydration a week after water was shut off in his cell at Milwaukee County Jail, where he was being held in solitary confinement after trying to stuff his mattress into the toilet to flood his previous cell.
Thomas was arrested after a shooting at Potawatomi Casino on April 14, 2016. His family said he was suffering from mental health issues at the time of his arrest, WISN reported. He died April 24, 2016.
Jurors heard testimony for more than a week and took only 90 minutes to decide to recommend charges against two supervisors and five corrections officers, according to WISN. Prosecutors are not required to take any action as a result of the recommendations.
Testimony was given stating procedures were not followed in turning off Thomas’ water, and that the shutoff was not noted in any prison logs. Some of the officials said they didn’t know water was turned off, and a supervisor said she had only ordered his toilet to be turned off, not all water, CNN reported.
Other inmates had their water turned off after Thomas died as well, according to WISN. One supervisor who was investigated in the incident, Capt. George Gold, resigned over the weekend.
The prison is run by Sheriff David Clarke, who has been considered a top pick for a Trump cabinet position.
Twitter rained down criticism on Clarke over the news.
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