Just a few hours into Terrill Thomas' eighth day in solitary confinement at the Milwaukee County Jail last year, correction officers found the 38-year-old man on the ground and not moving.
He was dead.
Thomas had spent his final days begging for water, inmates later told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, because jail staff had shut off the flow to the pipes in his cell as punishment for bad behavior.
The cause of death was ultimately ruled "profound dehydration" and the medical examiner classified it a homicide - meaning death at the hands of others - an announcement that drew a torrent of rage from Sheriff David Clarke, a tough-talking and loyal President Trump surrogate.
Still, nearly a year later, no criminal charges have been filed in Thomas' death.
The first major court revelation came Monday, when prosecutors told the jury that Thomas had endured seven days without any liquid, lost 35 pounds and grown weak and quiet before he died inside his cell last year, reported the Journal Sentinel.
Benkley told the jurors they will hear from fellow inmates who claim Thomas called for water. He also said there is evidence that Thomas' compromised mental health made it clear he was "unable to tell people about his basic needs."
ADA Kurt Benkley:
We, the undersigned, demand justice for Terrill Thomas, the mentally-ill prisoner who died as a result of being denied access to water for seven days. Sheriff David Clarke does not deserve to be Sheriff; and, the three correctional officers involved with him do not deserve their jobs either.
We are demanding that Sheriff Clarke and the three correctional officers be removed from their jobs and jailed for murder.
Terrill Thomas should not have died in such a gruesome, tortuous manner. He should not have died, period. His death must be avenged.
Thank you.
