Wayne County Settles with Family of Slain Inmate for $7M

Man Killed in Jail, Family Receives Settlement

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners has approved a $7 million settlement in favor of the family of man who was slain in the Wayne County Jail. Thomas Carr, aged 53, was severely assaulted by his cellmate while serving his time over a drunk-driving conviction and died a week later due to “catastrophic” head injuries, as detailed in the federal lawsuit filed by Carr’s family.

Ms. Doda Lulgjuraj, who is a county spokesperson, confirmed that Wayne County will take responsibility for $5 million of the payout, while the remaining $2 million will be covered by the county’s insurance.

Details of The Attack

Carr suffered fatal injuries at the hands of his cellmate, Claude Lewis, on July 13, 2023. Lewis—who was in jail on domestic violence charges—reportedly attacked Carr, resulting in catastrophic head trauma, multiple fractures in the face, and a broken eye socket. Consequently, Carr succumbed to his injuries on July 20, 2023.

The county reportedly had prior knowledge about Lewis’ mental health problems and his history of violence. Lewis had even requested admission to an inpatient psychiatric hospital, citing his need for mental health housing and treatment. Nevertheless, county officials failed to either house Lewis in the mental health unit or segregate him from the general population, which culminated in the tragic incident with Carr.

Foundation for the Lawsuit

The lawsuit stands in contention due to the violation of Wayne County Jail’s policy, wherein two inmates of contrasting criminal backgrounds should not share a cell. With Carr serving time for a non-violent crime and Lewis awaiting trial for an assault charge, the lawsuit alleges gross negligence on part of the authorities for pairing them together.

Furthermore, the lawsuit called into question the jail’s screening measures for medical and mental health statuses, alleging them to be inadequate. It highlighted a lack of vigilance for pretty dangerous inmates and those presenting mental health concerns.

Response and Lawsuit Conclusion

In response to this tragic event, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson reported in July 2023 that Carr and Lewis were housed together because both charges were deemed misdemeanors. The death took place during a “staffing emergency” at the jail.

Lewis is currently under charges of first-degree murder in relation to Carr’s death, with the case yet to be decided upon. Lewis’ mental competency is being assessed to stand trial with multiple evaluations already conducted.

The lawsuit claimed negligence from the county and the jail officers for housing Carr with Lewis and reducing the number of guards on each floor. The county has now settled for $7 million with Carr’s family to conclude the dispute, albeit the tragic incident unraveled glaring flaws in the county’s jail system.

Family Member’s Plea

Virginia Adkins, Carr’s sister who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the family, expressed her fear about the jail, “Nobody should go in there for a misdemeanor and have it be a death sentence,” Adkins said. “If they can’t run the jail, they need to close it and find somewhere else to put the inmates. I’m terrified for anybody left in that place.”