A second former Alabama jailer has pleaded guilty in connection to the death of an inmate who died of hypothermia while in custody. The inmate, Steven Davis, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Marshall County Jail in February 2019, with his body temperature only 80 degrees. The first jailer, Michael Smith, pleaded guilty last year to charges of violating Davis’s civil rights by failing to provide adequate medical care.
The second jailer, Matthew Casey Moore, pleaded guilty to the same charges in federal court. The prosecution alleged that Moore, who was responsible for monitoring Davis’s condition, failed to properly check on him and provide necessary medical attention. The investigation revealed that Davis had been placed in a cell with malfunctioning heating equipment, which contributed to his fatal hypothermia.
The case has shed light on the inadequate conditions faced by inmates in some Alabama jails, prompting calls for reform and closer oversight of correctional facilities. Davis’s death sparked outrage and a lawsuit by his family against the jail and its employees.
The guilty pleas from both jailers mark a step towards accountability for their role in Davis’s death, but questions remain about the broader issues of negligence and mistreatment within the state’s prison system. Advocates for criminal justice reform are pushing for increased transparency and oversight to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
The sentencing for Moore is scheduled for a later date, and he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals, even those who are incarcerated.
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