Neglected prisoner gets $15.5 million

[Hum]

Stephen Slevin spent 22 months in solitary confinement in a New Mexico jail. During that time, his mental health deteriorated, fungus grew on his skin, and he was forced to pull his own tooth after being denied access to a dentist. A recent settlement with Dona Ana County resulted in Slevin receiving $15.5 million.

Initially, Slevin was awarded $22 million by a jury, but Dona Ana County appealed. The two parties reached an agreement this week. According to NBC News, Slevin's attorney, Matt Coyte, said his client's "mental health has been severely compromised from the time he was in that facility. That continues to be the same. No amount of money will bring back what they took away from him. But it?s nice to be able to get him some money so he can improve where he is in life and move on."

During his 22 months in solitary confinement, Slevin developed bedsores and lost 50 pounds. The ordeal began in 2005 when he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and stealing a car, which he says he borrowed from a friend. Slevin was never brought before a judge nor was he officially convicted of any crime. He said he wrote letters, begging for help with his depression.

"Why they did what they did, I'll never know," Slevin told KOB4-TV. "Walking by me, watching me deteriorate day after day after day, and they did nothing at all to get me help."

Slevin's attorney said his client was battling depression at the time of his arrest. His health woes continue. He was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. He also suffers from post traumatic stress disorder due to his time in jail.

Jess Williams, Dona Ana County's public information director, told NBC News that the jail is making an effort to improve the way it treats prisoners with mental illness.

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[McKay]

In before everyone bangs the War Drums saying he deserved it. Being locked in solitary confinement for nearly 2 years, having fungus growing on his skin and being denied access to basic dental care is criminal. He still has Human Rights.

[Hum]

Well the $10 million or whatever he ends up with sounds completely justified to me.

Better life to him.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

Never brought before a judge and never convicted, and he's been in jail for two years and treated like this? Disgusting.

[psionicinversion]

thats messed up, proven guilty. thats all they gave him, $15million its a bit high really, give him that and the jails will be even worse cus theyll hve no money to spend on em. its hard to properly say but it is horrible they way he was treated but if thats the state of their judicial system, dont get caught in new mexico

[ahhell]

thats messed up, proven guilty. thats all they gave him, $15million its a bit high really, give him that and the jails will be even worse cus theyll hve no money to spend on em. its hard to properly say but it is horrible they way he was treated but if thats the state of their judicial system, dont get caught in new mexico

:s

Did you type that on a potato?

$15million isn't even close to being enough for what they put him through.

[FiB3R]

Where do I sign up?

[Growled Member]

He deserves every penny of it. What happened to him was wrong.