A former deputy jailer by the name William Curtis Howell was charged with violently assaulting pre-detainee as well as failing to attend to his injuries which resulted in his death. The court found out that Howell used excessive force against a detainee named Larry Tent. His acts resulted in bodily harm and death of the inmate.
This announcement was made in a four day trial by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, acting Attorney for the Eastern District Of Kentucky, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the area, and Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police.
How the crime was committed
The crime began when Howell and one of his co-worker named Hickman opened Trent's cell to remove a sleeping mat. Trent then ran out of the cell. He was then tased by Howell while the co-worker kicked him several times in the ribs while he was on the floor. Trent laid on the ground with severe open head wounds that were bleeding. He later died from the injuries.
The two prison wardens then carried him back to his cell and kicked, punched and stomped on him several times before closing the cell door; this was according to witnesses.
Witnesses also told the court that there was a lot of blood on the floor and the clothes of the two wardens. Witnesses also told the court that Howell and his co-worker did not give Trent medical attention despite being motionless on the floor and having blood all over his face.
Trent was later rushed to hospital four hours later after another jail employee noticed his lifeless body.
Trent died in hospital later in the day. Autopsy results presented at trial showed that Trent died of a fracture to his pelvis which caused hemorrhaging and from trauma to his head, torso, and extremities. Howells' coworker Hickman pleaded guilty for his role in the beating.
In 2012, another assault took place at the same jail. Kevin Asher, the deputy jailer, involved in that attack, was convicted in April this year of deprivation of civil rights and obstructing justice resulting in bodily injury.
The sentencing of Howell
The conviction of Howell will be heard on August 16th of this year in London, Kentucky.
Howell may be imprisoned for a maximum of 10 years if found guilty of using excessive force that results in bodily injury. Deliberate indifference that can cause injury also carries a maximum jail sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
Investigations that led to the arrest of Howell were conducted by Kentucky State Police and the FBI, assistant U.S. Attorney of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney of the Civil Rights Division.
