"$3m awarded after addict dies in California jail" November 12, 2014
SAN DIEGO — San Diego County must pay $3 million to the family of a heroin addict who died of an asthma attack while detoxing in jail, a federal jury determined.
The California county and two nurses violated Daniel Sisson’s civil rights, jurors found Monday. They specifically faulted the county’s method of checking jail cells and how it trains staff to deal with inmates who are detoxing from drug addiction, U-T San Diego reported.
Sisson’s parents had sued the Sheriff’s Department and the California county on various claims, including wrongful death and cruel and unusual punishment.
The 21-year-old was on probation when he was arrested on a heroin possession charge and ordered back to the Vista jail on June 23, 2011, according to court records. He was found dead in his bunk two days later.
A forensic pathology specialist testified during the trial that Sisson died of an asthma attack caused by the symptoms of heroin withdrawal.
The county’s lawyer, Kevin Kennedy, told jurors that Sisson lied about using drugs when he was booked into jail and refused medical treatment at one point.
The family’s attorney, Christopher Morris, said they hope the verdict will encourage authorities to have ‘‘a serious conversation’’ about updating policies and procedures for training jail staff.
‘‘More than anything, the family wants this case to be a catalyst for change,’’ especially with respect to detoxing inmates, he said.
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What bothers me most is taxpayers are on the hook for all this official misconduct.
The responsible officers pif the government should be made to pay. Maybe this kind of crap would then stop.
Also see: Charles Manson, 80, to marry 26-year-old woman
That's scary, and meet the next guy who will find that out:
"Life sentence in Chinese students’ slayings" Associated Press November 18, 2014
LOS ANGELES — A man convicted of killing two Chinese graduate students was sentenced Monday in Los Angeles to multiple life terms in prison by a judge who denounced him for showing no remorse and smiling while a grief-stricken victim’s father spoke in court.
Javier Bolden made no comment during a lengthy hearing during which the mother of one victim sobbed and the father of another called him ‘‘human trash’’ and ‘‘a monster.’’
The killings drew international interest and fueled concerns in China about the safety of students abroad.
Related:
"Overcrowding on buses is common in China. A series of accidents has focused public anger on school bus safety in rural areas, where there is a shortage of education funds and children are often forced to travel long distances because of school closures."
At least no one was stabbed at school as in the past.
Superior Court Judge Stephen Marcus said the killings had stained the reputation of the university and the city of Los Angeles....
If that's still possible.
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