GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A federal trial started Monday in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of man who died by suicide in the Calumet County Jail.
Demetrius Stephenson died in August 2019. The lawsuit contends the county was aware of his mental illness and suicidal thoughts but did not react appropriately.
“Other inmates in the jail could tell that Demetrius was suicidal and repeatedly contacted Calumet County Jail correctional officers asking for help. Demetrius himself repeatedly contacted Calumet County Jail correctional officers, administration and medical staff asking to see a mental health professional and when he did speak to that person, he repeatedly told them that he was going to kill himself. Demetrius was not given his psychotropic medications despite submitting a written request asking for his mental health medications,” the suit claims.
The county denied responsibility for his death, saying it and the employees acted in good faith.
The trial is scheduled to last up to seven days, court records show.
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