Damages sought for Oklahoma inmate’s death despite pleas

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A federal negligence and wrongful death lawsuit against an Oklahoma county, its sheriff, and other parties alleges that an inmate was allowed to die despite his repeated pleas for help that were captured on jail videotape.

The lawsuit filed in 2017 by the estate of Terral Ellis Jr. alleges that the Ottawa County jail nurse and officials ignored or disregarded Ellis’ pleas for days until finding him unconscious on October 22nd, 2015, when he was taken to a hospital where he died of sepsis and pneumonia.

The lawsuit names the county commission, sheriff, nurse, and others. The suit seeks at least $150,000 and attorney fees.