» County jail death:
Inmate died of dehydration in cell
An inquest is set to determine whether charges should be filed in the April 2016 dehydration death of Terrill Thomas in the Milwaukee County Jail.
One year after Terrill Thomas died of profound dehydration in his Milwaukee County Jail cell, prosecutors on Monday will begin an inquest into his death.
An inquest is a legal proceeding that allows prosecutors to question witnesses in front of a jury before they’ve made a decision on issuing criminal charges. The jury then issues a unanimous verdict on whether there’s probable cause to charge anybody in connection with a death. Prosecutors are not required to follow the jury’s decision.
In Thomas’ case, prosecutors have not disclosed who could be presented to the jury for a charging decision. They have said the felony charge of abusing an inmate is “the potential crime” relevant to Thomas’ death.
Thomas was found dead on April 24, 2016, nine days after he was arrested and incarcerated in connection with a nonfatal Milwaukee shooting. An autopsy determined Thomas died of profound dehydration, with other significant conditions including bipolar disorder. The manner of death was deemed “homicide,” meaning death at the hands of another. The medical examiner’s term doesn’t necessarily mean a crime was committed.
Three inmates told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that jail staff turned off Thomas’ access to water after he became disruptive and flooded his cell. Family members said Thomas was in the throes of a mental breakdown before his incarceration.
It’s unclear whether jail staff offered Thomas bottled water or sought medical attention for him prior to his death. The Milwaukee Police Department, which investigated the case, has not released any findings ahead of the inquest.
Much remains unknown about the inquest proceedings. Prosecutors have not filed any witness lists or documents that shed light on who will be questioned. At some point during the inquest, the jury will be taken to the jail’s solitary confinement wing to see Thomas’ jail cell. Reserve Judge Francis Wasielewski has set aside five days for the proceedings.
Thomas was the first of four people to die at the Milwaukee County Jail in 2016. A newborn died in July after her mother gave birth without any jail staff noticing. Two inmates died of natural causes related to heart issues in August and October, respectively. No criminal charges or inquests have been issued in the other three deaths.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke has not said whether any jail staff were disciplined or resigned in connection with Thomas’ case. He has not commented extensively about Thomas. In a March interview with The Guardian, a British newspaper, Clarke said Thomas’ death “might be problematic,” adding, “Thomas was in bad health. It was a contributing factor.”