Attorney: Deputies Assaulted Bipolar, Diabetic Inmate After Meds Denied
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — New allegations of abuse in Los Angeles County jails surfaced Thursday as part of an federal investigation into charges of deputy brutality and other misconduct.
Timothy Smith, who according to his family is bipolar and diabetic, was reportedly unable to get his medication while serving a three-day sentence for a traffic violation at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
"They had information that he had some sort of physical and we believe also some sort of mental condition," said attorney Jamon Hicks. "At a minimum, they knew he was on medication."
Upon hearing he couldn't take his medication, Smith apparently had an episode and attempted to flee from deputies.
"I'm always concerned when I hear of someone who suffers from a mental illness and has been beaten," Hicks added.
The incident is currently under investigation, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.
His accusations come amid new allegations from Gabriel Carrillo — who suffered serious bruises and cuts on Feb. 26 — that have also sparked a criminal investigation by the Sheriff's Department, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Carrillo contends he was the victim of an unprovoked attack, but deputies said they used force only after he assaulted them, according to the newspaper. The violence, they said, occurred after they detained him for possessing a cellphone at the jail.
The Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to establish a citizens commission to review the use of force in county jails and formally asked Sheriff Lee Baca to make changes in how the jails are run.
Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Mark Ridley-Thomas recommended forming a five-person commission, with each of the five supervisors nominating a candidate by Nov. 1, which the board approved on a 5-0 vote.
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