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Lawsuit Accuses Broward Jail Staff of Indifference as Inmate Starved

A lawsuit accuses jail medical staff of "deliberate indifference'' to the needs of a mentally ill 23-year-old who starved himself in a Broward County jail cell.

The SunSentinel reports the federal lawsuit was filed Thursday, nearly four years after William Herring died.

The lawsuit accuses Armor Correctional Health Services of not sending inmates to outside hospitals for necessary treatment because it cuts into profits.

Herring, who was bipolar and schizophrenic, refused food, drink and mental health medication during his four weeks in custody.

He was on probation for breaking into vehicles when he was arrested for sleeping on a bus bench. He collapsed before a Nov. 16, 2012 hearing and died while in a coma five weeks later.

In a statement, Armor said it will "aggressively defend" its employees.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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