Joe McMullen · Joe Fried
$6.4 Million Verdict; Civil Rights - Inadequate Jail Policies Resulting in Death; “Brevity is confidence; Length is fear”
February 5, 2025 6:30 PM||
33-year-old Billy was arrested after police responded to a distressed call from his parents about his out-of-control alcoholism.But as he was booked into the local jail, Billy denied having any problems with alcohol.Over the next three days, Mom and Dad repeatedly called the jail to warn jail staff about Billy’s severe alcoholism and they pled for jail medical staff to monitor Billy for symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.Jail medical staff never learned about Mom and Dad’s warnings, and they never treated Billy for alcohol withdrawal, even as his physical and mental condition rapidly deteriorated.Just three days after being booked into the jail, Billy succumbed to delirium tremens in his cell.
The case dealt with the following issues:
- Distilling a trial that should take nearly two weeks down to two days. Despite the breadth of parties, evidence, and claims at issue, including federal and state causes of action alleging individuals and entity liability, four plaintiffs, five defendants, lengthy audio-visual and documentary exhibits, nine fact witnesses, and three expert witnesses, the federal judge announced it would strictly enforce a 6-hour time-limit per side for all phases of trial.
- Dealing with evidence that the decedent caused his own death by concealinf his medical needs and refusing medical care. Billy denied using alcohol to medical staff and he refused medical care on multiple occasions during his three days in jail before he died.
- Damages for the loss of life of someone with considerable baggage. Billy was unemployed, living at home with his parents in a different state than his ten-year-old daughter, abusing alcohol, being confrontational with his parents, carrying a knife, and resisting arrest at the time he was taken into custody.
- Trial-prep triage. Joe McMullen was brought in for trial just two weeks before the trial date.
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