A federal lawsuit claims a 21-year old Oklahoma man vomited, wept and lay on floor of his cell doubled over in pain before his death. A doctor never examined him.
Stitt had initially called for $10 million in appropriations for the voter-mandated County Community Safety Investment Fund as part of his 2020 budget proposal.
“We do have space in our juvenile facility for these kids and they shouldn’t be held in our jail.” — Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert
Oklahoma jails that hold minors aren’t subject to the same standards or state oversight as juvenile detention centers.
Body camera footage from the shooting shows Oklahoma City Police Department Sgt. Kyle Holcomb opening fire on the teenager from a hole in a wooden fence behind the house. Police have said the teen had a BB gun, though the teens lawyer is contesting that.
While 21 states have moved to ban life without parole for juveniles, all legislative efforts to do so in Oklahoma have failed.
There are 36 people still serving life without parole for crimes they committed as juveniles.
The courts have ruled that most juveniles in prison are entitled to a ‘meaningful opportunity for release.’
