A federal jury is siding with an inmate in her lawsuit against Scott County and its jail. The suit was filed by Lillian Slater, who went to jail January 25, 2006, on a bad check charge.
Slater says she was denied medical attention one day later when her sickle cell anemia flared up. In addition, she was confined by jail staff to a restraining chair on two occasions that day for a total of seven hours. The jury ordered Scott County to pay $35,000 for pain and suffering because officers used excessive force.
Two corrections officers also must pay $3,500 each. The Quad-City Times reports that defense lawyers called Slater a drug seeker who used manipulative behavior in an attempt to avoid being detained.
By Phil Roberts, Davenport